The shocking murder of 12-year-old Asunta Basterra Porto in Spain in 2013 continues to raise questions. Asunta, a gifted and accomplished child, was found dead on a rural road outside Santiago de Compostela. Her adoptive parents, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra, were subsequently convicted of her murder, but the motive remains a chilling enigma. This article delves into the case, examining the events leading up to Asunta’s death and exploring the possible reasons behind this horrific crime.
Asunta’s Privileged Life and Troubled Family
Asunta was adopted from China as a baby by Rosario Porto, a lawyer, and Alfonso Basterra, a journalist. She grew up in a seemingly idyllic environment in Santiago de Compostela, surrounded by privilege and opportunity. Asunta excelled academically, skipping a grade in school, and pursued numerous extracurricular activities, including music, ballet, and language lessons.
However, beneath the surface of this perfect family facade lay a troubled reality. Porto and Basterra divorced in 2013 after a tumultuous relationship marked by Porto’s mental health struggles and infidelity. Basterra, once financially supported by Porto, struggled to maintain his lifestyle after the separation.
Alfonso Basterra and Rosario Porto’s divorce in 2013 shocked friends and family.
The Murder and the Investigation
On September 21, 2013, Asunta was reported missing by her parents. Her body was discovered the next day, and an autopsy revealed she had been drugged with a massive dose of lorazepam, a sedative commonly used to treat anxiety, and then suffocated.
Suspicion immediately fell on Porto and Basterra. CCTV footage placed Porto and Asunta together in the hours leading up to the girl’s disappearance, contradicting Porto’s initial statements to police. Investigators also uncovered evidence of long-term lorazepam use in Asunta’s system, corroborated by accounts from her teachers who described her as appearing drugged and disoriented in the months before her death.
Rosario Porto’s arrest marked a turning point in the investigation.
The Trial and Conviction
The trial of Porto and Basterra was a media sensation in Spain. The prosecution argued that the couple had conspired to kill Asunta, motivated by a desire to be free of the burdens of parenthood. While the exact motive remained unclear, the prosecution pointed to the couple’s troubled relationship, Porto’s mental instability, and the financial strain on Basterra as potential contributing factors.
Alfonso Basterra was arrested shortly after Rosario Porto.
Both Porto and Basterra were found guilty of murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison. They maintain their innocence and have appealed their convictions.
Lingering Questions and the Search for Answers
Despite the convictions, the question of “Why Did They Kill Asunta?” remains unanswered. The lack of a clear motive, coupled with the circumstantial nature of the evidence, has fueled speculation and conspiracy theories. Some suggest financial gain as a possible motive, while others point to Porto’s psychological issues as a potential trigger.
A memorial at Asunta’s school serves as a reminder of the tragic loss.
The case of Asunta Basterra Porto remains a tragic mystery, a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. The question of why this bright young girl was murdered by the people who were supposed to love and protect her continues to haunt those who followed the case.
