Members of the Homicide Division of the Federal Police conducted searches in various areas of Coronel Brandsen in search of the body of Lucas Escalante, who disappeared on December 9, 2022, along with his friend Lautaro Morello in Florencio Varela, who was later found burned.
The police authorities, with strong suspicions regarding the involvement of members of the Buenos Aires force in Lucas's disappearance, have intensified the search in those areas. "Before taking some witness statements, because we understand that they could provide more information about where they might have buried the boy," according to a police spokesperson.
The Justice system, as well as Lucas's family, believe that the young man was murdered and the main objective is to find his body, more than 26 months after his disappearance. The incident dates back to the night of December 9, 2022, when Lucas and Lautaro headed to the summer house of Commissioner Francisco Centurión in search of promised police gasoline vouchers from the official's son, Cristian Centurión.
Unfortunately, weeks later, Lautaro was discovered burned in Guernica. The Centurión cousins will face charges of double aggravated homicide, both as premeditated murder and cruelty, among other crimes, while Commissioner Francisco Centurión is accused of multiple charges related to illegal deprivation of liberty and misappropriation of public funds.
Although the searches in Coronel Brandsen yielded no results, prosecutor Daniel Ichazo will continue with witness statements and plans to resume the search for the body in the coming days. "All roads lead to Brandsen," expressed the consulted police source while the prosecutor, family members, and investigators maintain hope of solving the case and finding justice for Lucas Escalante.
