The justice system must investigate the death of Héctor Orlando Arce. He was the victim of a suspected homophobic crime that has shocked the town of Buin, where he lived. Witnesses are being asked to come forward with information that could help reconstruct the events and find those responsible. By Airam Fernández, from Buin. The streets of Buin cry out for justice. Black balloons hang from the gates of many houses as a sign of mourning. Walls display signs and posters expressing farewell, affection, but above all, a clamor for answers regarding a suspected homophobic crime: “Justice for Orlando!”; “Farewell, friend Orli”; “Dear Orlando, we will never forget you.” Héctor Orlando Arce Serrano, 44, died on May 5th, after spending 21 days in a coma at the Lucio Córdova Hospital, following a beating. He remained unconscious from then on and died in the intensive care unit. The only version of events circulating among the residents of this rural village of old houses, 40 minutes from Santiago, is that on Friday, April 14th, Orlando went out for drinks. Later, neighbors found him lying in a drainage ditch, surrounded by weeds and dirt. Unconscious, they managed to carry him to his parents' house, where he lived. They suspect that a man who frequently harassed him because of his sexual orientation left him like that. His family shares this theory. No one dares to mention his name. At the family's request, Rolando Jiménez, leader of the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation of Chile (Movilh), is acting as spokesperson for the case. Jiménez told Presentes that the initial autopsy report revealed an "aggravated infection" caused by a chronic illness the victim had suffered from for a year (which the family prefers not to disclose). “The doctors tell us that, although the terrible blow to his forehead, which severely damaged one of his eyes, wasn't the direct cause of death, it definitely worsened his condition. And it contributed to the fatal outcome. It looks like he was hit with a rock,” he said.

The Justice system is investigating.

The case is being handled by the San Bernardo Prosecutor's Office, but it does not yet have a permanent prosecutor assigned, confirmed Alejandro Arnijo, head of the Sexual Diversity office of the Municipality of Buin. Presents Attempts were made to obtain an official statement, but as of the time of publication, there had been no response to calls and messages sent to the prosecutor's office. So far, no witnesses to the incident have come forward, Jiménez clarified. The only legal record in the case is a complaint for serious injuries, filed two weeks ago by the victim's family with the Carabineros (Chilean police), with the assistance of MOVILH (Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation).

“I promise you that whoever did this to you will pay.”

On Sunday, May 7th, Héctor Orlando's funeral was so crowded that the Buin Municipality had to provide two large buses so that everyone who wanted to could travel from his home, where the wake was held, to the cemetery. At the busy burial, rumors swirled amidst the wailing of the mourners. "It seems the guy who beat him up has run away. He knows they're going to catch him and he's hiding," one woman said to another as the priest finished the service. “Poor Orlando,” one of his friends lamented, holding colorful balloons that she later released into the sky. “I promise you that whoever did this to you will pay, I swear,” another woman said as the mass ended, leaning against the rainbow flag draped over the coffin. His parents and brother wept uncontrollably. Héctor Orlando was beloved by many of the residents of Buin. He worked as a waiter in several restaurants and establishments in the town, openly discussing his sexual orientation. Those who knew him believe that his illness led to addiction problems. “When they left him at home in that state, his mother didn’t realize the magnitude of the blow. She didn’t take him to the hospital until the next day. As soon as she arrived, she let him sleep and took off his clothes to wash them because they were covered in blood.” "And it is likely that the police will not have a way to compare traces of fingerprints or DNA, which puts us in a longer and more complex investigation to find those responsible," warns Jiménez.  

"A homophobe had been bothering our friend for a while."

A group of transvestites and transgender people, who said they were very close to him, also attended the funeral. One of them shared a significant detail and is willing to cooperate with her testimony if the Prosecutor's Office requests it. “Orlando had been our friend for a long time, almost five years. We went out partying very often. I think the guy everyone here is pointing to did have something to do with all this because that homophobe had been bothering our friend for a while. One night I ran into him on the street; he was drunk and insulted me. Some friends and I kicked him out, and then he yelled at us, 'You'll soon find out who I am,' kind of threatening me,” she said. “Everything that has been said here today, everything that is being said in the community, is information that the Prosecutor's Office will have to take into account when establishing the hypotheses for the investigation. We at Movilh will also launch a campaign to find witnesses, so that we can find out exactly what happened. And to find out more quickly as well,” Jiménez insists.

They are looking for witnesses

Depending on how the case unfolds this week, Movilh will consider filing a lawsuit on behalf of the Arce family. And if the homophobic attack is confirmed, they will work to ensure that the aggravating circumstance of the Zamudio Law is applied.

[READ MORE: Five years after the attack on Daniel Zamudio, murdered for being gay]

At the end of the ceremony at the cemetery, the head of the Buin Municipality's Sexual Diversity Office approached a loudspeaker to thank the entire community, but also to make a very important request: “If you know anything, if you saw anything, if you have any information that you think could contribute to the investigation, please don't hesitate to come forward and talk. Orlando's family needs our help. I know we are all very shaken, but don't be afraid; trust that justice will be served.” Every year, the Homosexual Liberation Movement (Movilh) produces a comprehensive report that records violence against the Chilean LGBTI population and monitors public policies.  The 15th Human Rights Report Published in March, it highlighted that compared to 2015, hate crimes increased by 33%, with 4 homicides.