Buenos Aires, Argentina — Authorities have apprehended a seventh individual linked to the chilling murders of two cousins and a teenage girl, a case that has sent shockwaves through the nation. The victims were identified as 20-year-old Morena Verdi, 20-year-old Brenda del Castillo, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez. Their bodies were discovered buried in the yard of a residence in a southern suburb of the capital, five days after their disappearance.

The investigation suggests the crime was orchestrated by drug gangs, allegedly broadcast live on Instagram to an audience of 45 viewers on a private account. The police announced the latest arrest on Monday, following a local television interview that provided new leads. The suspect was reportedly seen driving a vehicle belonging to her uncle, who was taken into custody Friday in Bolivia on charges of aiding in the transportation of the victims.

Earlier, authorities had detained four individuals, including two men and two women, with a sixth arrest occurring over the weekend. Among the suspects is a 20-year-old Peruvian drug trafficker, known only as “Little J,” who is believed to have orchestrated the killings. An international warrant has been issued for his arrest, along with a 23-year-old associate whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Grandfather Antonio del Castillo expressed his outrage, condemning the brutality of the crime. “You wouldn’t do what they did to them to an animal,” he stated during a protest demanding justice. He remains hopeful that the truth will emerge amid the ongoing investigation.

This tragic incident highlights the pervasive issue of femicide in Argentina, where a woman is murdered by a man every 36 hours, according to local monitoring groups. The European Institute for Gender Equality defines femicide as the killing of women based on their gender, encompassing various forms of violence. Femicide was criminalized in Argentina in 2012, and offenders face life imprisonment.

However, recent statements by President Javier Milei have raised concerns. He has suggested removing the term “femicide” from the penal code, arguing it implies that women’s lives hold more value than men’s. This stance has ignited debates over how authorities address gender-based violence in the country.

The horrific nature of the recent killings has spurred protests throughout Buenos Aires, with activists calling for justice and demanding accountability from both law enforcement and the government. As the investigation continues to unfold, community members stand in solidarity, emphasizing the urgency of addressing violence against women in Argentina.