Three years ago, our advisors Federico Paruolo and Yamil Castro made a request to the Supreme Court of Justice of the province of Buenos Aires, which was finally granted," explained the victim's father. Gustavo Melmann criticized the Justice for not having investigated the DNA in the case, indicating that this sample is crucial as it was collected from Natalia's body. Melmann questioned the Justice's delay and expressed his discontent, stating, "They never wanted to investigate."
In this regard, Melmann noted that they expect the authorities to continue collecting samples from the suspects to compare them with the genetic evidence present in the file. Natalia's body was found in the "Florentino Ameghino" nursery in Miramar, and the autopsy revealed she was killed by asphyxiation with the laces of her own shoes, also showing bruises, burns, fractures, and a blow to the skull.
The necropsy indicated the presence of genetic traces from five different individuals, confirming that the young woman was a victim of rape by several assailants. Various implicated individuals were convicted of kidnapping, sexual abuse, and homicide in 2002, although one of them was later acquitted twice due to lack of evidence.
Ricardo Panadero, the fourth police officer accused in the case, was involved in a legal process that culminated in his conviction in 2023 for deprivation of liberty, sexual abuse, and aggravated homicide. After the annulment of his dismissal, a new process was finally carried out, which resulted in his life sentence.
Natalia Melmann's father revealed that they expect to know the results of a new DNA test related to the case within four months. This pertains to a fifth police officer suspected in the femicide, a 60-year-old man residing in Trenque Lauquén. The corresponding procedure was carried out in the Forensic Advisory of the city because the individuals involved belonged to the police force, and the Scientific Police could not intervene. In 2002, the Oral Court ordered the investigation of this DNA, which was never conducted, according to Melmann.
