Trans activist found dead in Puerto Montt: transfemicide suspected

Valentina Vera López, a 32-year-old trans woman, was found dead on Wednesday, January 27, in a room at the Torres Molinos cabins in Puerto Montt, southern Chile.

January 27, 2021

By Airam Fernández, from Santiago, Chile

Valentina Vera López, a 32-year-old trans woman, was found dead on Wednesday, January 27, in a room at the Torres Molinos cabins in Puerto Montt, southern Chile.

According to preliminary information from the Carabineros (Chilean police), Valentina's body showed no evidence of third-party involvement, but the toxicological tests, which are expected to be ready on Thursday, "are what will help clarify what really happened," Lieutenant Gustavo Arancibia told the local press.

The victim's inner circle suspects a transphobic crime, according to Movilh. They were assisting the victim's family with legal procedures on Wednesday at midday.

The Movilh spokesperson told Presentes that a friend was with her in the room at some point and the authorities have already taken her statement: “Valentina asked for help, and from what her friend told me, she had been drugged, but that is preliminary information. There is a lot of evidence on her cell phone and that is what they have to examine.”

José Arcos, spokesperson for Movilh-Los Lagos, told Presentes that López was an activist with Movilh and collaborated with the organization for several years, until 2015.

“We are devastated by the death of our colleague. We will be supporting her family every step of the way to uncover the truth about these events and bring those responsible to justice, should it be a crime, as the initial investigations suggest,” Arcos said.

According to Argos, several witnesses saw Valentina with a man on the night of Tuesday the 26th. “If this is a hate crime, we will legally represent the family and make use of the Gabriela Law,” he added, referring to the legislation enacted in Chile in March 2020, which incorporates into the definition of femicide the fact that it was committed due to sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

News in development.

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