Buenos Aires, November 14 (NA) -- Junior Benítez, the former player condemned and who will go to trial for inciting the suicide of his ex-partner Anabelia Ayala in 2024, wrote a letter from prison where he reaffirmed his innocence, and now the victim's family will report him, according to the agency Noticias Argentinas.
"For a long time, I chose silence. I did not know that it was a second conviction, because there was a first one on probation, and the second, of effective fulfillment, adding both sentences," Benítez stated.
In a letter written by hand, he also deeply regretted the pain that this process caused, but expressed that he was a victim of a very difficult situation (personally, family and socially) where "I was pointed out, publicly condemned with lies, without proof, with solvent and contradictory statements".
Benítez also exposed that the relationship with the victim was always maintained with "emotional conflicts" and emphasized that "I never exercised violence. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I needed to understand and order what I lived," begins the letter written by hand.
On a sheet of notebook paper, the former Boca Juniors player held: "I want to say with total clarity that I am innocent, that I never instigated anyone to suicide nor intended to cause harm."
Conviction and new trial In April 2024, the accused was sentenced to five years in prison by the Correctional Court No. 8 Departmental for the crime of aggravated incitement (two facts), threats, damage (three facts), disobedience (two facts) and possession of a civilian-use firearm without the necessary legal authorization, all in a real contest among themselves.
At the end of September 2025, it was reported that Benítez will go to trial accused of the crime of incitement to suicide in the context of gender violence, in relation to Ayala's death on January 1, 2024.
"Through the analysis of the evidence gathered, it is accredited that between 2018 and 2023 'on repeated occasions and regularly while maintaining a relationship with Anabelia Ayala with clear intentions that she take the decision to take her own life, he instigated and/or induced her to do so by developing violent and controlling behaviors, in a constant and progressive manner over her person and her family environment; behaviors that directly affected her, both physically and psychologically'."
However, Tripolone appealed the elevation to trial because the case was not filed as femicide, a request he made during the investigation stage.
"The evidence that this was a femicide is overwhelming, and in subsidiary by incitement. On the contrary, I always tried to accompany, help and support," he added.
He also highlighted that he is undergoing psychological treatment, sessions he attends by video call: "That therapeutic space has been fundamental to reflect and understand that I was involved in a complex relationship."
Upon learning of this letter, NA contacted Rodrigo Tripolone, the lawyer for Anabelia's family, who confirmed that they are going to report Benítez and his defense: "He is doing terrible things."
"We are going to report because he attacks the Ayala family, who are victims and Benítez was condemned. He says the lawyer was innocent. It was proven that Benítez was watching her live when she died," explained Tripolone.
