Nathaly Mafla case: Why the testimony of the friend who received her phone is important

The investigation into the death of Nathaly Juliette Mafla Castillo has taken a significant turn with the testimony of a friend who received her cellphone shortly before she vanished. This individual's statement, currently under wraps by the prosecutor's office, is crucial as the phone is considered a central piece of evidence in reconstructing Mafla's last moments.

According to Paúl Vergara, the family's lawyer, the cellphone is vital for piecing together Nathaly's final hours. The act of leaving the phone with a friend before disappearing raises questions about their relationship and the circumstances surrounding this handover. Vergara posits that when someone entrusts a valuable item, they typically expect its prompt return, making the context of this decision critical.

Further complicating matters, the young man who received the phone reportedly disappeared for two days before handing it over to authorities. Adding to the concern, the cellphone was returned to Nathaly's father the following day without prior forensic examination. This sequence of events raises serious questions about who had access to the device, whether it was manipulated, and if the stored information remained intact before it was returned to the family.

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The phone is one of the most important elements for reconstructing Nathaly's last hours.

The friend's testimony before the Fiscalía is paramount because he was the custodian of the phone after Nathaly's disappearance. While the specifics of his statement are confidential, Vergara has emphasized its relevance to the ongoing process. Answers regarding the phone could provide vital clues to understanding Nathaly's final hours.

Beyond the cellphone, Vergara highlights other unresolved aspects of the case, including events in a university bathroom prior to her disappearance, the reason her bag was left behind, how she ended up in the La Vicentina sector, and what transpired before her body was found. The defense awaits results from DNA, toxicology, and other forensic tests. The Fiscalía could take up to two years to develop a case theory and potentially file charges. The investigation is proceeding under the suspected crime of femicide and remains under reserve.

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When someone hands over a valuable object, they normally expect to get it back soon. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the context in which Nathaly made that decision.