Two young women and a teenage girl were tortured and killed by suspected drug traffickers in Argentina, with the abuse livestreamed on a private Instagram group. Brenda del Castillo, 20, Morena Verdi, 20, and Lara Gutiérrez, 15, went missing on Friday after being lured to a house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires with a promise of $300 for a 'sex party'.
Authorities say the victims were seized, tortured, and murdered, with the livestream viewed by 45 people. Their bodies were found buried in plastic bags outside the house. Investigators believe the killings were revenge after one of the victims stole a package of cocaine from a drug dealer.
“They were trying to send a message: this is what happens to those who steal drugs from me,” said Javier Alonso, security minister of Buenos Aires province. Two men and two women have been arrested, two of whom were allegedly hired to clean up after the murders.
Meta, Instagram's parent company, said it found no evidence the livestream was hosted on its platform but is cooperating with law enforcement. The crime has sparked protests by relatives and feminist groups demanding justice. “They took her away from me and I want them to pay,” said Brenda del Castillo's mother.
The case has shocked Argentina, a country unaccustomed to such extreme narco violence. “When narcos use this level of cruelty – targeting vulnerable victims – it means something is changing,” said journalist Germán de los Santos. Activists warn that drug gangs are expanding in poor areas, exploiting rising poverty and cuts to public services under President Javier Milei.
