Search and rescue teams located Martina Núñez, 21, Magdalena Retamal, 31, and Manuel Orellana in a refuge in the Valle de Colina sector on Wednesday morning. The three individuals had been reported missing since the previous Thursday, after traveling to the area in a vehicle with a reported theft charge following a celebration in Maipú. According to Orellana’s partner, identified as Génesis, the group was acquainted prior to the incident, and she has publicly denied allegations of kidnapping.
Circumstances of the Disappearance
The group was last seen on Thursday, just one day before a weather system impacted the central region of the country. Concerns regarding their whereabouts emerged after Orellana failed to return home. Génesis stated that she was contacted by her mother-in-law, who inquired about Orellana’s status, prompting the realization that he had not returned from the sector.
Génesis described the location where the group was found as a known, secure site equipped with beds, food supplies, and heating. She noted that Orellana had previously taken her to the same thermal area, expressing confidence that he would ensure the safety of his companions.
Did You Know?
The three individuals were found in a refuge in the Valle de Colina equipped with basic survival necessities, including beds and heating, which the partner of the rescued man described as a place he had visited previously.
Addressing Allegations of Kidnapping
In interviews following the rescue, Génesis explicitly rejected claims that the incident involved an abduction. She stated that the individuals were already known to one another and had shared social interactions on previous occasions. According to Génesis, the two women, who work as nursery school teachers, had engaged in friendly banter with Orellana in the past.
Génesis further alleged that she had been subjected to threats from relatives of the women, specifically mentioning the husband of Magdalena Retamal. She characterized these individuals as delinquents and claimed they threatened to kidnap her in an effort to locate Retamal.
Potential Next Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the three individuals found?
They were located by search teams in a refuge in the Valle de Colina sector on Wednesday morning.
What is the relationship between the three individuals?
According to Génesis, the partner of Manuel Orellana, the three individuals were already acquainted and had shared social interactions prior to the disappearance.
Why were there concerns about a potential kidnapping?
Génesis addressed public speculation regarding a kidnapping, dismissing it by stating that the group knew each other beforehand and that the trip was not a forced abduction.