Body of missing youth found semi-buried in Argentina's Gran Rosario

The semi-buried body of Gastón Daniel Montenegro, a young man who had been missing for a week, was discovered in a rural area between Santa Fe and Rosario, Argentina. Investigators are pursuing the hypothesis that he was a victim of a kidnapping followed by death, potentially linked to drug trafficking disputes.

Montenegro disappeared a week prior from Capitán Bermúdez, north of Gran Rosario. His body was found between Serodino and Pueblo Andino. The prosecutor Luisina Paponi and forensic experts identified the remains on Saturday, after his mother had reported his kidnapping at gunpoint.

The victim's body was located near Provincial Route 10 by firefighters, guided by a trained dog. Family members identified Montenegro by his tattoos. An autopsy was performed at the Legal Medical Institute of Rosario, with details kept confidential.

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He didn't leave, they kidnapped him; the responsible parties are identified, 20 raids were carried out, people are detained. Everything positive for the police, but not for us.

Investigators are exploring whether the discovery site was the primary crime scene. The lead to the body reportedly came from individuals being investigated in connection with Montenegro's disappearance. His mother had previously stated that her son was kidnapped over drug-related issues. During a protest, she asserted that those responsible were identified, and arrests had been made following 20 raids.

During several raids, police confiscated narcotics and weapons, leading to the arrest of four individuals for drug dealing as the homicide investigation continues. Montenegro had left home on the evening of Friday, June 26, intending to return by midnight, but never did. His family filed a report, and surveillance camera footage reportedly showed his abduction.

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They put him in a car at gunpoint and took him away. Some people broke down and told us. Then they looked for cameras and it was possible to see when they took my son away.