Shadow ArchiveIntroduction
On January 24, 2009, 17-year-old Marta del Castillo Casanueva went out with friends in Seville and never returned home. Her disappearance gripped Spain, leading to massive protests and media coverage. While the police quickly identified suspects and obtained confessions, the case spiraled into a nightmare of lies, conflicting versions of events, and a relentless, heartbreaking search for a body that, to this day, has not been recovered.
Background of the Case
Marta was last seen with her ex-boyfriend, Miguel Carcaño. After she failed to return, her parents coordinated with friends to trace her steps. Suspicion fell immediately on Carcaño. Under police interrogation, he confessed to killing her during an argument at his apartment on Calle León XIII. He implicated several others: his minor friend "El Cuco," his half-brother Francisco Javier Delgado, and Delgado's girlfriend María García.
Timeline of Events
- January 24, 2009: Marta disappears.
- February 13, 2009: Miguel Carcaño is arrested and confesses, stating he hit her with an ashtray and dumped the body in the Guadalquivir River.
- March 2009: Carcaño changes his story, claiming he raped and strangled her, and threw her in a dumpster. This triggers a massive search of the Alcalá de Guadaíra landfill.
- 2011: The trial takes place. Carcaño gives yet another version, implicating his brother.
Investigation and Evidence
The investigation was hampered by the suspects' constant changes in testimony. At various times, they claimed the body was in the river, in a dumpster, or in a grave. Police combed thousands of metric tons of trash and dredged miles of riverbed. Forensic evidence found blood on Carcaño's jacket and at the apartment, but the absence of the body made verifying the exact cause of death impossible. The shifting stories seemed designed to confuse authorities and protect accomplices.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
In 2011, Miguel Carcaño was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder. "El Cuco," tried as a minor, was sentenced to detention for concealment. Surprisingly, Carcaño's half-brother, his girlfriend, and another friend were acquitted due to lack of concrete evidence linking them to the disposal of the body. The verdict caused public outrage, perceived as too lenient and unjust given the concealment of the corpse.
Resolution and Outcome
Miguel Carcaño remains in prison. In later years, he offered a seventh version of events, claiming his brother killed Marta with a pistol butt over a financial dispute. Investigations were briefly reopened but yielded no body. The case technically remains closed regarding the murder, but the search for Marta continues.
Impact and Legacy
The case sparked a national debate in Spain regarding the legal distinction between minors and adults in serious crimes, and the "historical memory" of victims whose bodies are never found. Marta's parents have become symbols of resilience, campaigning for justice and legal reform. A 2021 documentary on Netflix reignited global interest in the inconsistencies of the investigation.
Sources
- Sentencia del Tribunal Supremo (Supreme Court Judgment).
- El País Archives (2009-Present).
- Where is Marta? (Netflix Documentary Series).
- RTVE News Reports.
Disclaimer
This article is presented for informational and educational purposes only. All details are based on publicly available records, court documents, and reputable media sources. The website does not intend to speculate or defame any individual.