In “The Asunta Case”, a new Netflix series covers a case of disappearance and murder that shocked Spain in 2013
On September 21, 2013, a 12-year-old girl named Asunta Basterra disappeared in Galicia, Spain. At the time, his disappearance was reported by his parents, Alfonso Basterra and Rosario Porto.
A day later, in the early morning, the young woman’s body was found close to the family’s country house in Teo, in Galicia. The case became even more intriguing when those responsible became the target of authorities.
Almost 11 years later, the story is portrayed in “O Caso Asunta”, a new series on the Netflix streaming platform, which hits the catalog tomorrow, the 26th.
“On September 21, 2013, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra report the disappearance of their daughter, Asunta, whose body is found hours later near a road in Santiago de Compostela. The police investigation soon points to Rosario and Alfonso as possible perpetrators of the crime , news that shakes the city and the country. What would lead parents to end their own daughter’s life? What is hidden behind this perfect family?”, explains the series synopsis.
With that in mind, check out the true story that inspired the launch of the streaming platform below.
Asunta was born in China and arrived in Galicia when she was just one year old, explains El País. Her life changed when she was adopted by Alfonso Basterra, a journalist, and Rosario Porto, a lawyer. She was described as a mature and responsible child. He took English, piano, violin and even dancing lessons. It was a peaceful life that, unfortunately, changed.
At the end of 2011, his maternal grandmother passed away. Seven months later, his maternal grandfather also died. According to those close to her, Asunta’s mother dealt with a physical and mental breakdown. He also used strong medications. When her parents separated, the teenager lived with Rosario, but she also spent time with her father, who lived nearby.
High doses
According to the website Infobae, investigations surrounding Asunta’s death revealed high doses of anxiolytics in the teenager’s body. This was not only when the corpse was found, but also in the last three months. Forensic analyzes confirmed that the young woman suffered a cruel death.
Experts present at the trial claimed that she ingested approximately 27 tablets of Orfidal, an anxiolytic tranquilizer, on the day she died.
Asunta’s parents had been purchasing copious amounts of tranquilizers since July 2013. As a result, the girl was receiving increasingly larger doses. On the 22nd of that month, the young woman reported the teachers her mother gave her. “a white powder that makes her sleep for days.”
Inconsistencies
The investigations did not favor the girl’s parents. After “inconsistencies and ambiguities” and “contradictory versions” in statements, Rosario came into the police’s sights and was accused of murder. Afterwards, Alfonso faced the same accusation. Therefore, they were provisionally arrested without bail.
On the day of her disappearance, the mother said she went out shopping alone, however, records taken at 8pm show that she was in the car with her daughter. Furthermore, Rosario said that her daughter left the house between 7pm and 9:30pm alone, without further details. However, neighbors said they found Asunta’s mother at 8:45 p.m. She informed that she would pick up her daughter, reported the website Publico.
It also draws attention that searches carried out in the house revealed similar strings those found near the teenager’s corpse.
The crime
According to authorities, the crime happened as follows: Alfonso administered a “toxic dose of Orfidal”. sedated, Asunta was asphyxiated by her mother, who then took the girl’s body to the place where she was found, describes Diário de Notícias.
As a result, Rosario and Alfonso They were sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2015. According to the Superior Court of Justice of Galicia, they were accused of sedating and asphyxiating their own daughter to death.
Today
The case, however, underwent a development in November 2020. On November 18 of that year, Rosario took his own life in Brieva prison, Ávila, after other attempts. Now Alfonso continues to serve the sentence in Teixero prison.
They, however, always denied responsibility for the crime which shocked Spain. In July 2013, for example, Rosario went to a police station in Santiago and reported that her apartment had been invaded by a person wearing black clothes and latex gloves. She said she woke up to her daughter’s screams.
According to El Periódico de Catalunya, Porto had a head injury, however, he would need a medical certificate to file a police report. She did not pursue the complaint. When her daughter disappeared, she stated that she withdrew the complaint so as not to traumatize the teenager. At the time, Rosario’s defense also said that she had forgotten the keys in the lock.
As a consequence, the motivations for Asunta’s death remain a mystery. All episodes of “O Caso Asunta” will be released on the Netflix streaming platform on Friday, the 25th.
