Overview

• Candela Santa María, 24, was found shot in the head inside her Fiat Cronos in González Catán in the early hours of August 30.
• Police identified Rodrigo López, 20, as the primary suspect; he died by apparent suicide in Virrey del Pino when officers closed in, according to investigators.
• Detectives moved off a robbery theory after determining the ride-share app was off and recovering a revolver box or munitions in the vehicle, while relatives reported her phone and wallet missing.
• A new line of inquiry examines a possible personal or commercial link, including testimony that the victim sold ammunition and that rounds found matched a pistol the suspect had advertised, with phone analyses pending.
• The case is led by homicide prosecutor Diego Rulli, who ordered PFA crime-scene work, as family and neighbors blocked Route 3 demanding justice and greater security.