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On 5 July, a formal missing persons [[Complaint|report]] was entered, which was assigned to Rodolfo De Lucía, head of the 20th [[Unidad funcional de instrucción|UFI]] in Bahía Blanca.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|last=Di Lodovico|first=Cecilia|date=7 August 2020|title=La desaparición, una búsqueda tardía y cruces políticos: los 100 días sin Facundo Astudillo Castro|language=es-AR|trans-title=The disappearance, a late search and political crosses: the 100 days without Facundo Astudillo Castro|work=[[Todo Noticias]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://tn.com.ar/policiales/la-desaparicion-una-busqueda-tardia-y-cruces-politicos-los-100-dias-sin-facundo-astudillo-castro_1102890|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite news|date=8 August 2020|title=La mamá de Facundo Astudillo Castro se quejó de la búsqueda: "No quieren encontrarte"|language=es-AR|trans-title=Facundo Astudillo Castro's mother complained about the search: "They don't want to find you"|work=[[Todo Noticias]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://tn.com.ar/policiales/la-mama-de-facundo-astudillo-castro-se-quejo-de-la-busqueda-no-quieren-encontrarte_1103073|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> The family of the disappeared criticized police action, pointing out how hard they made to file the report, and the fact that the police took note of one of Astudillo Castro's friends testimonial on a [[Delicatessen|deli]] piece of paper.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite news|title=Aparicio: "Hay que investigar la hipótesis de encubrimiento"|language=es-AR|trans-title=Aparicio: “The cover-up hypothesis needs to be investigated”|work=[[Radio Provincia]]|url=https://provinciaradio.com.ar/index.php/2020/07/27/aparicio-si-nosotros-advertimos-irregularidades-y-berni-no-o-no-las-vio-o-esta-encubriendo/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":53"/><ref name=":55">{{Cite news|date=27 July 2020|title=Las fuerzas federales continuarán con los rastrillajes en busca de Facundo Astudillo|language=es-AR|trans-title=Federal forces will continue the search for Facundo Astudillo|work=[[Infobae]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/07/27/las-fuerzas-federales-continuran-con-los-rastrillajes-en-busca-de-facundo-astudillo/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
On June 17 June, Cristina Castro (his mother) reached out to Mayor Buratovich to witness a police operation, but five [[Police truck|trucks]] of the Buenos Aires police blocked her.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news|date=25 July 2020|title=nueve policías diseñaron plan de encubrimiento|language=es-AR|trans-title=nine policemen designed a cover-up plan|work=[[Crónica (newspaper)|Crónica]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.cronica.com.ar/edicionimpresa/nueve-policias-disenaron-plan-de-encubrimiento-20200725-0081.html|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite news|title=LAS FUERZAS FEDERALES CONTINUARÁN CON LOS RASTRILLAJES DE FACUNDO|language=es-AR|trans-title=Federal forces continue with the search of Facundo|work=Primero Bahía|location=Bahía Blanca|url=https://primerobahia.com/2020/07/27/las-fuerzas-federales-continuaran-con-los-rastrillajes-de-facundo/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":55"/>
On June 25 June, the Federal System for the Search of Lost and Missing Persons became aware of the case and reported it to police and government agencies across the country through the systems of the federal [[Ministry of Security (Argentina)|Ministry of Security]].<ref name=":32">{{Cite news|last=Meyer|first=Adriana|date=14 July 2020|title=Amplían la búsqueda de Facundo con fuerzas federales|language=es-AR|trans-title=The search for Facundo is broadened with federal forces|work=[[Página 12]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/278287-amplian-la-busqueda-de-facundo-con-fuerzas-federales|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
On the 8th of8 July, the Person Search division of the Federal Police joined the search. Resources were also requested from other federal forces.<ref name=":32" /> This same day, the police watch log book of Mayor Buratovich was seized, as well as several policemen's mobile phones.<ref name=":32" />
Also on July 8 July, federal judge Gabriel Marrón took on the case, with the investigation being taken by prosecutor Santiago Ulpiano Martínez.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 August 2020|title=Búsqueda de Facundo Astudillo Castro: analizarán restos óseos y objetos hallados en un desagüe al costado de la Ruta 3|language=es-AR|trans-title=Search for Facundo Astudillo Castro: bone remains and objects found in a drain on the side of Route 3 will be analyzed|work=[[Infobae]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/08/06/busqueda-de-facundo-astudillo-castro-analizaran-restos-oseos-y-objetos-hallados-en-un-desague-al-costado-de-la-ruta-3/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> The Buenos Aires provincial police was removed from the investigation as it was under suspicions, and [[Adolfo Pérez Esquivel]] and [[Roberto Cipriano García]] (members of the Provincial Commission on Memory) were accepted as [[plaintiff]]s.<ref name=":8" />
On July 11 July, and by request of the Provincial Commission on Memory, a UN committee demanded the Argentinian [[Sovereign state|State]] an "expedite and through" investigation.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> The government of that time informed the UN their absolute commitment to the investigation.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|date=24 July 2020|title=El Gobierno le respondió al reclamo de la ONU por la desaparición de Facundo Astudillo Castro|language=es-AR|trans-title=Government replied to the UN claim about the Facundo Astudillo Castro disappearance|work=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]]|url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/gobierno-respondio-reclamo-onu-desaparicion-facundo-astudillo-castro_0_X1PhMFfhj.html|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
On July 12 July, during a Buenos Aires police procedure looking for human remains in a Mayor Buratovich [[Landfill]], the family attorney was threatened by a police [[deputy commissioner]].<ref name=":322">{{Cite news|last=Meyer|first=Adriana|date=12 July 2020|title=Amenazan al abogado de la familia del desaparecido Facundo Castro|language=es-AR|trans-title=The family attorney of the disappeared Facundo Castro is threatened|work=[[Página 12]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/278097-amenazan-al-abogado-de-la-familia-del-desaparecido-facundo-c|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> Then, at the prosecutor's request, the provincial police left the scene to the federal police. No human remains were found that day.<ref name=":322" /> The deputy commissioner was discharged by order of Internal Affairs.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 July 2020|title=Relevaron a un subcomisario acusado de amenazar al abogado de la familia de Facundo Astudillo Castro|language=es-AR|trans-title=A deputy commissioner was relieved accused of threatening the Facundo Astudillo Castro family attorney|work=[[Todo Noticias]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://tn.com.ar/policiales/relevaron-un-subcomisario-acusado-de-amenazar-al-abogado-de-la-familia-de-facundo-astudillo-castro_1093284|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=13 July 2020|title=La desaparición de Facundo: relevaron a un subcomisario por presuntas amenazas y comienza un rastrillaje por la Ruta 3|language=es-AR|trans-title=Facundo disappearance: a deputy commissioner was relieved from charge because of alleged threats and a search begins on the 3 Route|work=[[Infobae]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/07/13/74-dias-despues-de-la-desaparicion-de-facundo-astudillo-castro-crecen-las-dudas-y-comienza-un-fuerte-rastrillaje-por-la-ruta-3-para-dar-con-el-paradero-del-joven/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
Between the 14 and 15 of July, 200 members of the Federal Police, the [[Argentine Naval Prefecture|Naval Prefecture]] and the [[Argentine National Gendarmerie|National Gendarmerie]] conducted cross country and air search between Pedro Luro and Bahía Blanca, in an area near to the National Route 3.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":32" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 July 2020|title=Sigue la búsqueda de Facundo Astudillo Castro: tercer día de rastrillajes con drones y helicópteros|language=es-AR|trans-title=The search for Facundo Astudillo Castro continues: third day of searches with drones and helicopters|work=[[La Nación]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/seguridad/donde-esta-facundo-drones-helicopteros-sigue-rastrillaje-nid2398511|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
Between the 25 and 27 of July, a new search was made, comprising the area between the entrance to the [[Villarino Partido|Villarino partido]] (department) and the Aguará train station. It also covered a part of National Route 3, and involved the use of canine units, Federal Police drones and tactical divers from the National Prefecture.<ref name=":324">{{Cite news|date=27 July 2020|title=Facundo Astudillo: las fuerzas federales continúan con tareas de rastrillaje|language=es-AR|trans-title=Facundo Astudillo: federal forces continue the search|work=[[El Litoral]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/251189-facundo-astudillo-las-fuerzas-federales-continuan-con-tareas-de-rastrillaje-desaparecido-desde-el-30-de-abril-sucesos.html|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":325">{{Cite news|date=27 July 2020|title=Nuevo rastrillaje para dar con el paradero de Facundo|language=es-AR|trans-title=New search to find Facundo's whereabouts|work=[[Crónica (newspaper)|Crónica]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.cronica.com.ar/policiales/Nuevo-rastrillaje-para-dar-con-el-paradero-de-Facundo-20200725-0111.html|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
On July 29 July, federal judge María Gabriela Marrón denied the request for prosecutor substitution, on the ground of considering it procedurally incorrect.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 July 2020|title=File FBB 8604/2020/1|url=https://www.fiscales.gob.ar/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CAUSA-ASTUDILLO-CASTRO-RECHAZA-RECUSACI%C3%93N.pdf|website=[[Judiciary of Argentina]]|language=es-AR}}</ref>
On 31 July, a new search using canine units was performed in the Teniente Origone precinct, where in an abandoned cellblock an object that could belong to Astudillo Castro was found. His mother claims it was gifted to him by his grandmother.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Video of Search in the Teniente Origone precinct|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u86mhCh3OBM|website=[[La Nueva Provincia]]}}</ref><ref name=":3232">{{Cite news|last=Meyer|first=Adriana|date=4 August 2020|title=Encontraron un objeto igual a uno de Facundo Castro en la comisaría de Origone|language=es-AR|trans-title=An object just like one of Facundo Castro was found in the Origone precinct|work=[[Página 12]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/282615-encontraron-un-objeto-igual-a-uno-de-facundo-castro-en-la-co|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite news|date=3 August 2020|title=La desaparición de Facundo: serán peritados los elementos secuestrados en el puesto policial de Teniente Origone|language=es-AR|trans-title=Disappearance of Facundo: elements seized in the Teniente Origone precinct will be analyzed|work=[[Ministerio Público (Argentina)|Attorneys general of Argentina]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.fiscales.gob.ar/violencia-institucional/la-desaparicion-de-facundo-seran-peritados-los-elementos-secuestrados-en-el-puesto-policial-de-teniente-origone/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3233">{{Cite news|last=Grimaldi|first=Ignacio|date=5 August 2020|title=El hallazgo de un objeto de Facundo Astudillo Castro, clave para esclarecer su desaparición|language=es-AR|trans-title=The finding of an object belonging to Facundo Astudillo Castro, key to clarifying his disappearance|work=[[CNN en Español]]|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/hallazgo-objeto-facundo-astudillo-castro-clave-desaparicion-perspectivas-pkg-ignacio-grimaldi-perspectivas-buenos-aires/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":15" />
On 7 August the 7th, and by request of the disappeared's family, new searches using canine units were performed in Mayor Buratovich, around the 780-kilometre mark of National Route 3. Burnt bone remains were found, which at the moment of the search could not be determined to belong to any person in particular.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 August 2020|title=Astudillo Castro: serán peritados huesos hallados durante un intenso rastrillaje|language=es-AR|trans-title=Astudillo Castro: bones found during a harsh search will be analyzed|work=[[La Nación]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/seguridad/astudillo-castro-seran-peritados-huesos-hallados-durante-nid2415217|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":3252">{{Cite news|date=8 August 2020|title=Madre de Facundo pide que amplíen rastrillaje en la zona donde encontraron huesos|language=es-AR|trans-title=Facundo's mother ask for the search to be broadened in the area where the bone remains were found|work=[[Crónica (newspaper)|Crónica]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.cronica.com.ar/policiales/Madre-de-Facundo-pide-que-amplien-rastrillaje-en-la-zona-donde-encontraron-huesos-20200808-0035.html|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> The young man's family belongs he was taken into a police patrol in the whereabouts of this finding.<ref name=":12" />
On August 8 August, it was revealed that the girlfriend and the brother of the disappeared had been threatened by the Buenos Aires provincial policemen in search of a confession, as well as that an illegal raid had been carried out at the family's home.<ref name=":19">{{Cite news|date=8 August 2020|title=Astudillo Castro: reconocen que la exnovia del joven fue amenazada por policías|language=es-AR|trans-title=Astudillo Castro: they recognize that the young man's ex-girlfriend was threatened by police|work=[[La Nación]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/seguridad/astudillo-castro-reconocen-exnovia-del-joven-fue-nid2415974|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> The prosecutor said that these actions, despite being qualified as felony, actually exposed the will of the police to find the young man, more than being indicative of a cover-up.<ref name=":19" />
The disappeared's family made a second substitution request on the federal prosecutor, Santiago Ulpiano Martínez, on the 8th of August after he denied an arrest request on several policemen.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":32322">{{Cite news|last=Meyer|first=Adriana|date=8 August 2020|title=Facundo Castro: Recusan por segunda vez al fiscal de la causa|language=es-AR|trans-title=Facundo Castro: a second substitution request made on the prosecutor|work=[[Página 12]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/283669-facundo-castro-recusan-por-segunda-vez-al-fiscal-de-la-causa|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
== Body discovery ==
His body remains were found on August 15, August 2020, in an advanced state of decomposition,<ref name=":26" /> in an area between the cities of General Daniel Cerri and Villarino Viejo.<ref name=":27" /><ref name=":023" /><ref name=":212" /> The autopsy was done in the former ESMA in Buenos Aires, where the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team has its laboratory.<ref name=":242" /> 15 experts from different areas participated in the exam, which lasted for 10 hours.<ref name=":242" /><ref name=":024" />
The [[autopsy]] report, published by the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, established the [[cause of death]] as [[drowning]] while the [[manner of death]] as an unnatural death, but it couldn't be established whether it was a result of homicide, suicide, or an accident.<ref name=":28" /><ref name=":29" />
There are also allegations that some of the suspects tried to influence investigations. Sergeant Siomara Flores appears to have participated in the investigation of Facundo's death despite the fact that she is the half-sister of agent Curuhinca.<ref>Siomara Flores</ref> Agent Sosa was also identified by a member of Facundo's ex-girlfriend's family as being part of a police party that interrogated him, asked him to claim that Facundo was involved with drugs. The same person testified that both agent Sosa and agent Curuhinca were present in the interrogation and appeared very anxious,<ref>https://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Excunado-de-Facundo-Castro-El-policia-Sosa-es-el-mismo-que-me-apreto-para-que-mienta</ref> while the house of Facundo's ex-girlfriend was also investigated by a police party without prior authorization. The police party appears to have illegally visited Facundo's ex-girlfriend home and put pressure on her to falsely testify that Facundo had "problems with drugs".<ref>https://www.pagina12.com.ar/289293-la-cronologia-del-caso-facundo-castro</ref>
Despite the family requests on their arrest, the prosecutors office considers (as of August 13 August) that there is not enough evidence to jail the policemen.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 August 2020|title=Caso Facundo Astudillo Castro: según el fiscal, hasta ahora no hay indicios suficientes para incriminar a los policías por la desaparición del joven|language=es-AR|trans-title=Facundo Astudillo Castro case: according to the prosecutor, so far there is not enough evidence incriminating the police for the young man's disappearance|work=[[Infobae]]|location=Buenos Aires|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/08/08/caso-facundo-astudillo-castro-segun-el-fiscal-hasta-ahora-no-hay-indicios-suficientes-para-incriminar-a-los-policias-por-la-desaparicion-del-joven/|access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":25" />
== See also ==
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