Three young women—15-year-old Lara Morena Gutiérrez and her 20-year-old cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo—were brutally murdered in Argentina in September 2025 by an international drug gang. Reports indicate the crime was livestreamed on social media to a private group of about 45 people. The horrific act has triggered major protests in Argentina.
Here is what is known about the case:
- Discovery of the bodies: The victims went missing on September 19, 2025, after being lured to a house in a suburb of Buenos Aires. Their bodies were found days later, buried in the yard of the home.
- The livestream and motive: According to Buenos Aires Security Minister Javier Alonso, the crime was broadcast to a closed social media group as a “warning” over an alleged drug theft. The broadcast included a voice saying, “this is what happens to those who steal drugs from me”.
- Platform dispute: Initial reports suggested the livestream occurred on Instagram. However, Instagram’s parent company, Meta, stated it had “not found any evidence of the livestream taking place on Instagram” and noted that its team was cooperating with law enforcement. Some reports also mentioned TikTok as a possible platform.
- Arrests and ongoing investigation: Authorities have arrested several suspects, including the alleged mastermind, a Peruvian national known as “little J”. He is reported to be the head of the drug gang.
What to do if you see a violent crime on social media
If you ever encounter a livestream or video depicting extreme violence, your actions could save lives or assist law enforcement.
- Call the police immediately: Contact your local police or emergency services right away. If the crime is ongoing, this is the most critical step.
- Document and report: Save any information you can, such as the user’s name or a link to the video, and report the content to the social media platform. This is crucial for evidence, but do not share the graphic content publicly, as this can be illegal and distress others.
- Contact the FBI: You can report cyber-enabled crimes to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. For immediate threats, submit a tip to tips.fbi.gov or contact your local field office.
- Report to the Department of Justice: The Department of Justice also provides resources for reporting various crimes, including threats of terrorism.
- Seek mental health support: If you have been traumatized by viewing violent online content, seek support. A mental health expert can offer guidance on processing your feelings.
