Martín Laureano Banchero, 55, is currently hospitalized under police guard in Santa Fe following the fatal stabbing of his 56-year-old ex-wife, Carina Andrea Candelas, inside a pharmacy at Dorrego and Zeballos. According to data collected by Rosario3, the suspect is expected to face an imputative hearing next Tuesday before prosecutor Laura Riccardo after undergoing medical examinations by forensic doctors.
Hospitalization and Impunative Hearing Schedule
Following the attack, Banchero was initially held at a mental health institution in Rosario before being transferred to the José María Cullen hospital in Santa Fe. Prosecutor Laura Riccardo requested the forensic examinations, and police maintain a strict guard around the suspect to prevent any possible flight.
Did You Know? Investigators recovered an iPhone 16 Pro Max, personal documentation, vehicle papers, and a fuel receipt from the suspect’s rooftop terrace, while a computer, a knife-sharpening stone, and the victim’s pay stub were seized from his fourth-floor apartment.
Reconstruction of the Pharmacy Attack
According to the case reconstruction, Banchero left his Citroën C-Elysee 1.6 HDI model 2019 parked in double fila on Zeballos last Wednesday before entering the business where Candelas had worked for years. Eyewitness testimonies indicate he asked for Carina and walked directly into the back storage room where she was located.
The assault was carried out with a knife that was subsequently left behind in the storage area. A coworker tried to intervene during the incident, but the high level of violence and the visible blade made it impossible to stop the assault. Emergency personnel from Sies arrived at the establishment, but Candelas passed away within seconds.
Arrest and Evidence Seized by Authorities
Security cameras at the corner of Dorrego and Zeballos captured Banchero leaving the pharmacy at 9:41, with his vehicle appearing on camera twenty seconds later to head toward his residence. Roughly ten minutes after the femicidio, the local motorized brigade located and arrested the attacker inside the elevator of his apartment building on Colón at the 2000 block.
Upon arriving at the building, Banchero left his vehicle blocking the garage door and initially went to the terrace holding a bottle of alcohol while expressing a desire to end his life. Police subsequently took him into custody on the first-floor elevator after he left the rooftop for reasons that remain unclear.
History of Harassment Prior to the Attack
Prosecutor Laura Riccardo noted that Banchero had no prior formal complaints filed against him for gender violence before the killing. However, the investigation established that a constant pattern of harassment had persisted since the couple separated in December, which included following the victim and visiting her workplace specifically to hurl insults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Martín Laureano Banchero currently located?
He is interned at the José María Cullen hospital in Santa Fe under police guard.
When is the suspect scheduled for a court appearance?
Prosecutor Laura Riccardo is slated to lead his imputative hearing next Tuesday.
Were there prior formal complaints against the attacker?
According to the prosecutor, no formal complaints for gender violence existed prior to the femicidio, though continuous harassment had been documented since the couple’s December separation.
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