Police suspect attempt to fake kidnapping in Asunta inquiry

Sources close to the investigation into the death of 12-year-old Asunta Basterra in Galicia last month have told EL PAÍS that she may have been tied up after dying of a lethal overdose of sedatives to fake an attempted kidnapping. The Civil Guard suspects that the rope marks on Asunta's body were caused after her death, not before as per the preliminary findings of the autopsy. Her body was found in woodland near a family-owned property.

The A Coruña High Court on Wednesday denied a second appeal against preventive custody lodged by Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra, Asunta's adoptive parents, ruling that there was sufficient evidence for their continued incarceration and to prevent the destruction of evidence.