Overview

• Javier Nicolás Saavedra was discovered dead in a bathroom of Pavilion D at the Alcaidía Judicial hours before the scheduled start of the trial.
• Initial hypotheses point to self-inflicted cuts to wrists and legs, though investigators say all lines of inquiry remain open.
• The Tribunal de Juicio (Sala I) suspended the hearing and declared criminal action extinguished only for Saavedra, with proceedings to continue for his brothers Adrián and Carlos.
• The autopsy began at 9 a.m. under fiscal penal Santiago López Soto, with forensic doctors Cosmato and Marra and a defense-appointed expert participating.
• Defense lawyer Marcelo Arancibia contests the suicide theory and questions detainee access to a cutting object, as the case—centered on the 2017 killing with more than 40 stab wounds—continues against the co-defendants; Javier also faced a separate attempted qualified homicide charge involving a police officer.