Teen held for murder of girl did not act alone, say parents

THE boy, 17, arrested at his Arriate home for the murder of teenager Maria Esther, has been sent to a centre for minors. The body of the victim, aged 13, was discovered in the housing for a pool filter system pump on January 20 in Arriate, 24 hours after she was reported missing.

The youth, a twin known locally as ‘El Vaca’, was identified via DNA evidence found at the scene of the crime.

‘El Vaca’, who works in the building trade with his father, first said he was at home watching TV, and later that he had been out playing football.

Meanwhile, the victim’s parents have announced their decision to leave Arriate. They say they believe the detainee is not the only person responsible for their daughter’s death. They have appealed to locals not to hold the detainee’s parents responsible for what he did.

‘El Vaca’can be kept at the centre for up to six months until a trial is held.