Lizeth Bunshi’s boyfriend reportedly left Ecuador, family lawyer says

The family of Lizeth Bunshi is pressing investigators to examine her boyfriend after the family’s lawyer said Darío C. left Ecuador for the United States.

Bunshi’s body was found on Aug. 25, after 37 days of searching. The Fiscalía is pursuing a case against Cristian V. for alleged involuntary disappearance, but Darío C. is not a defendant. Lawyer Freddy Ron said Darío left the country before a reconstruction of events scheduled for Aug. 30 in Cumandá, in central Quito.

According to information given by the family, Darío asked permission to take 28-year-old Bunshi out on the night of July 18 from El Tingo, in Alangasí. They spent time with a group of his friends. After an argument between the couple, Darío left Bunshi with Cristian Gonzalo V., the family said.

Bunshi’s sister, Norma, said the family knew little about Darío’s relationship with Lizeth or about his connection with Cristian V. The family contacted both men from July 19, when it began seeking information about Lizeth’s whereabouts. Norma said Darío later arrived with two other people and told Cristian that Lizeth had stayed with him.

The family asked police to detain both men, but officers said they could not arrest Darío because he had been with Lizeth the day before she disappeared. Cristian’s case changed after security cameras recorded him with Lizeth in Cumandá, near the place where she was last seen. Street residents also told prosecutors that he allegedly insulted and assaulted her. A judge ordered his pretrial detention. Ron questioned why Darío was not brought into the case earlier and said the family’s defense would seek additional investigative action.

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The investigation must also include Lizeth’s boyfriend.