Overview
- Juan Francisco “El Francés” Viarnes, 66, was found shot in a Florencio Varela vacant lot, and an autopsy confirmed a fatal aortic wound with six bullet entries; his identity was verified by fingerprints and prosecutor Darío Provisionato is leading the case with no arrests reported.
- In Tucumán, the victim was identified as Javier Ariel Sarmiento, 50, whose right hand was amputated and who had severe head injuries; investigators suspect a surprise attack with a sharp object, and the Homicide Unit ordered searches and an autopsy.
- Former Buenos Aires police officer Carlos Demetrio Leiva died after a week in intensive care following a Jan. 5 shooting in Caseros, and prosecutor Daniel Cangelosi is overseeing the investigation.
- Two suspects, including an 18-year-old identified as N. A. M., were detained in the Leiva case, and charges were upgraded to homicide aggravated by firearm use after the victim’s death.
- Separate investigations are underway after fishermen reported an unidentified body in a Chaco waterway and a retired federal prison officer was found dead inside a car located in the Paraná River near Candelaria, Misiones.