José Gabriel Allende, who had disappeared on Sunday, March 22 in Mina Clavero, province of Cordova was found dead yesterday, prompting authorities to intensify their investigation.
Circumstances of Disappearance
The 26-year-old left his home to meet a friend and an unknown man. Police are currently reconstructing the events surrounding his disappearance, as no leads are being ruled out.
After several days of searching, his body was discovered in the Los Elefantes spa, in Mina Clavero. The Villa Cura Brochero Investigation Prosecutor’s Office, led by Analía Gallarato, is exploring the possibility that Allende’s body had been abandoned just hours prior to discovery, potentially during the early hours of Friday. The absence of concealment attempts further suggests a possible crime.
Progress in the Investigation
Two men have been arrested in connection with the case. Authorities are working to assess their involvement and have seized various cell phones, clothing, and a vehicle from the suspects, which will be analyzed for their connection to Allende’s death.
Possible Motives Behind the Incident
Investigators are examining an alleged conflict and theorizing that it may be linked to drug dealings following a meeting early Monday morning.
It is believed that Allende was sent to make a delivery, leading to a confrontation. The last recorded sighting of Allende was captured by security cameras showing him walking alone at around 6 a.m., just hours after he was with his friends.
Timeline of Events Leading to Disappearance
On the Sunday before his disappearance, Jose Gabriel Allende visited friends at Plaza Centenario in Villa Cura Brochero, where he remained until approximately 3 a.m. Monday. He sent a message to his nephew stating he was heading to the terminal for restroom facilities—this was to be his last known correspondence.
According to his sister Luciana, after leaving the plaza, Allende encountered some acquaintances, including a young woman and an unfamiliar male. While the couple went shopping at a nearby kiosk, Allende stayed outside with the stranger, where it’s alleged he received a package intended for delivery.
Witness accounts say that this stranger engaged Allende in a physical confrontation, stealing his cell phone and fleeing the scene. Following the incident, the group returned to a nearby house to charge a phone and coordinate a plan to locate the alleged thief.
Eventually, Allende’s friends made their way back, while he chose to remain behind alone. The last images captured by security cameras show him walking alone around 6 a.m.