A court in Iquique has ordered pretrial detention for three men accused of participating in the brutal murder of a 40-year-old man in the heart of the city.
The defendants—two Chilean nationals and one Venezuelan—were formally charged by the Organized Crime and Homicide Team (ECOH) of the Tarapacá Regional Prosecutor's Office with aggravated murder.
The crime took place on the morning of April 9, around 7:00 a.m., at the intersection of Errázuriz and Esmeralda streets. The victim, a Peruvian citizen, was approached by the attackers while walking through the area.
According to Acting Prosecutor Daniel Juacida, the defendants acted in concert with the intent to kill the man. The assault began with punches and kicks before escalating with the use of sharp and blunt objects.
An attack leaving over 100 injuries
Prosecutors revealed that the attackers used a drill to inflict multiple wounds across various parts of the victim's body. A report from the Medical Legal Service confirmed that the man sustained more than 100 injuries during the prolonged assault.
The autopsy determined the cause of death was an open traumatic brain injury. Experts noted that the severity of the wounds would have been fatal even if the victim had received prompt medical care.
After leaving the victim defenseless, the defendants loaded his body into a vehicle. The assaults continued while driving through the city before the body was eventually abandoned on San Martín Street.
The investigation was supported by security camera footage that captured both the attack and the subsequent transport of the body. Investigators also utilized witness statements and forensic evidence from the Carabineros' OS9 and Labocar units.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has charged the suspects with aggravated murder, citing the aggravating factors of treachery, cruelty, and premeditation. The court has set a 100-day deadline to conclude the investigation.