Reconstruction of Lizeth Bunshi Case Suspended in Quito

A reconstruction intended to retrace Lizeth Bunshi’s final movements was suspended in Quito before investigators could begin the procedure.

The hearing had been scheduled for the afternoon of Aug. 30, 2026, in the Cumandá area of central Quito. Freddy Ron, the family’s lawyer, said technical and logistical problems led to the suspension. No replacement date had been announced.

Investigators planned to recreate what happened on the night of July 19, before Bunshi disappeared and later died. A woman with a similar weight and build was expected to take part in the reconstruction at a ravine in Cumandá connected to the Machángara River.

Cristian V., the only person processed in the case, attended along with specialized police personnel, representatives of the attorney general’s office and people waiting to observe the procedure. Police had said the reconstruction could last up to eight hours, and restrictions had been arranged around the site.

The exercise was intended to compare witness accounts with other evidence collected during the investigation. Bunshi’s body was found on Aug. 25 in the Machángara River near Guápulo, after 37 days of searching. Her family’s legal team has asked prosecutors to change the case against Cristian V. from alleged involuntary disappearance to alleged femicide. The reconstruction must now be rescheduled.