The Asunta Case (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

1
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
[lively instrumental music playing]
When people say it's "charitable work,"
I don't like that.
Or when people say adoption is a trend.
Honesty, if it's charity you're after,
then volunteer at an organization.
When you think you've had enough,
you can just quit.
Parenting is different.
I mean, it's something that's for life.
There's no comparison.
Adopting is the same
as biological parenthood.
Although the process
is obviously very different.
At the time we did it,
the phenomenon of international adoptions
was just starting to catch on.
And the Xunta services
were quite overwhelmed.
[man] Apparently, they were short-staffed.
That's why.
[interviewer] Did you have a preference
for a boy or a girl?
[woman] No. We didn't care,
right, Alfonso?
[Alfonso] No, we just wanted them to be
between six and twelve months. That's all.
[interviewer] Did you have any problems?
If you're referring to the
to the required financial investment,
I can tell you that our family always
has been very fortunate in that regard.
[interviewer] I was actually asking
about when you went to go get her.
What was it like
the first time you saw her?
- Ah, well Wow.
- What can I say?
It's one of those moments we won't
- we won't ever forget, right dear?
- No. No. No.
6 YEARS LATER
SEPTEMBER 21, 2013
- [clock ticking]
- [poignant music playing]
SATURDAY
[ominous music playing]
[ticking continues]
[computer keys clacking]
[woman] Please. There aren't
many girls like her in Santiago.
- [policeman] Age?
- [Alfonso] Twelve. Thirteen this month.
- [policeman] Okay.
- [clacking continues]
You said you left the girl at home?
Yes, she stayed home doing her homework.
My daughter is very hard-working.
Very, very hard-working.
[policeman] What time was that?
[woman] It was earlier tonight,
around 7:00 p.m.
I went out to do some errands
and when I returned, she wasn't home.
When was that?
It must have been 9:30.
[policeman] An hour ago?
[woman] Yes, but she never
leaves home alone.
I thought she was having dinner
with her father.
I live right by her,
on República Argentina,
it's half a block from her.
Practically around the corner.
- [policeman] You talk to her on the phone?
- No.
[woman] I know the door was locked.
I just assumed
she went to her father's apartment.
Did you try calling your family?
Her friends?
No, I mean, uh, her godmother
is waiting for her at the apartment.
But, um, our daughter,
she's not very social.
Her phone was in her room.
Well, it's normal for kids
to do these kinds of things.
Give it a couple of hours,
she'll likely show up.
- [Alfonso] But
- [woman] What? No.
You have to trust me, okay?
My daughter's not like that.
I need you to find her.
[ominous music playing]
[woman, quietly]
Alfonso, they're coming to my place
to see if we missed something.
- If we missed something?
- Yes.
[ominous music continues]
[Alfonso] You know what? Maybe
Hey, you! Where are you going?
- Where's he going?
- I don't know.
[footsteps running]
Where did you run off to?
- Sorry, officer. I went home.
- [keys jangling]
I make a bet with Asunta.
We race each other downstairs.
From the sixth floor.
I take the elevator, she takes the stairs.
Look, Charito, it's the round one,
remember? I marked it.
- Yes, yes, yes.
- This one, right.
I was worried she may have tripped
and was unconscious in the stairwell.
- [keys jangling]
- [door opens]
Mm.
- [metallic clanging]
- [elevator whirring]
[dogs barking in distance]
The neighbor's dogs.
When they hear anyone
enter the building it's nonstop barking.
[barking continues]
[Alfonso] Dolores, the police are here.
- [door closes]
- This is Dolores, Asunta's godmother.
She stayed here for us
in case she came back.
Hi, honey.
Where's the girl?
She's still missing.
[softly] Well, well
God willing, you'll find her soon.
Please, officer.
We'll do our best, okay?
Sit down.
[policeman 2] We're gonna
have a look around. May I?
[Rosario] Oh, yes, of course.
[ominous music playing]
[Rosario] She likes to sit on the floor
when she studies.
She works very hard to pass her tests.
She's so gifted she even skipped a grade.
Llanos, stay here with Ms. Porto.
You live nearby, right?
Yes, I'm close. Next to the bank.
Let's go.
That's all you want to see?
Why are we going to my place?
Excuse me.
Why don't you start looking for her?
[ominous music playing]
[keys jangling]
Asunta always wins the race.
The elevator's hydraulics are old.
[sets down keys]
Have a look around.
Where were you earlier today?
Between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m.
[Alfonso] I was here, reading.
I turn off my cellphone so I can focus.
I turned it on and got Charo's texts.
I called her and she said
our girl wasn't there when she got home.
[man] It's such bullshit!
The train derails
and it's the engineer's fault?
They pinned the whole fucking thing
on the guy.
Eighty people kick the bucket,
the company gets away with it.
Tell me they haven't tried
that bullshit before.
The workers always
take the blame, always. Mm.
Shh. Hey, let's go home, yeah?
We're done already?
Home is in the next bar.
Tonight's festivities have just begun!
- I'm fucking with you.
- [both laughing]
[party music playing loudly on car radio]
[music continues on radio]
[man 2] I don't wanna see the band,
let's go to Samay club instead.
The girls there are desperate.
The pursuit is half the fun.
To get the quality women
you have to put in the effort.
Oh, motherfucker!
[tires screech on gravel]
[engages handbrake]
[music continues faintly on radio]
[eerie music playing]
[music turns sinister]
THE ASUNTA CASE
[cellphone ringing, buzzing]
- [man groans]
- [accepts call]
Ríos.
What?
Yes. I'll be over as soon as I'm dressed.
Sure, I can call the team.
[woman] What is it?
[exhales] There's a body.
[groans] A little girl.
[woman] Poor thing.
[exhales]
[Ríos] Get some sleep
if your granddaughter will let you.
- Be careful.
- I will.
[toy squeaks, chatters]
Shit.
- [eerie music playing]
- [footsteps on gravel]
[tense music playing]
[flashlight clicks]
[music turns poignant]
[poignant music turns sinister]
[flashlight clicks]
[Ríos] Who's on call?
[policewoman] Judge Malvar.
He's on his way. It'll be a long night.
- [Ríos] Yeah.
- [policewoman] Mm.
- The men who found her are over here.
- [Ríos] Where?
[policewoman] There. Vila and Núñez.
[Ríos] Great. The whole gang's here.
- [Núñez] We didn't do anything, Javier.
- We're on a first name basis?
- Sorry, officer.
- Did you two touch anything? I know you.
- No, nothing, I swear.
- Huh.
- Do you have a job around here?
- Working isn't their strong suit. Right?
What were you up to?
We were going to a party,
just walking up the road.
Out of nowhere, we saw, something.
In this dark you saw something?
A miracle white light just shone down?
No, the moon.
Okay, everybody, please
turn your headlights off for a second.
- [flashlight clicks]
- The moon, huh? Yeah, right.
Hey, do you think we're morons?
[Vila] Of course not, officer,
no one said that.
There's a dead girl here.
Enough bullshit, tell the truth.
I need to know
if you were really walking or not.
[tense music playing]
- Thank you.
- Of course.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[police radio beeps]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[policewoman] Nothing.
These two have been drinking
since four in the afternoon.
- They left without paying.
- Seriously?
It seems like all you do is drink.
[Núñez] I don't know
what you're looking for
but that's all we did, really.
We were a little buzzed
and my license was suspended.
I thought reporting the little girl
was more important.
So we left the car
and came back to call it in.
[dogs barking in distance]
Do you buy the license story?
Around here we say,
"Anyone with an ass is afraid."
Anyway, these two here are cowards.
They still called it in.
[policeman 3] Cristina, the police station
in Santiago has a missing girl report.
- An Asian girl?
- [policeman 3] Yes, twelve.
- They're sending the picture now.
- Thanks.
[Ríos] You'll give statements
tomorrow in Santiago.
- [policeman 3] Can they leave?
- [Ríos] Yeah. Let them sleep it off.
PHARMACY
- You never get used to this, am I right?
- No. I'd be worried if you did.
Honestly, you know what I think?
If humans were extinct
the world would be a lot better. Right?
- Oh, man.
- What?
Don't be such a drama queen,
do you hear yourself? Come on.
You're mostly right.
The shit we have to see is truly horrible.
It really is the worst of the worst.
But we still have to be grateful
for the good things in life.
There's some good, right?
Right, there's the good stuff.
Then you have children.
As we say here in Galicia,
"Have kids and double your work."
- Know what that means?
- No.
You will, don't worry.
[car alarm beeps]
[doorbell rings]
[man on intercom] Hello?
Civil Guard.
[door buzzes]
[Rosario] Alfonso
[Ríos] Are you
Asunta Basterra Porto's father?
- Yes.
- [Rosario] Is it her?
No.
No. Don't tell me that.
- It's not her, you have to keep looking.
- [Ríos] We're very sorry.
- This is impossible. It's not her.
- [Alphonso crying]
Could we come in?
[crying intensifies]
[Rosario] Alfonso. Alfonso.
[Alfonso sobbing] No.
- [Rosario] This can't be.
- [sobbing continues]
LOCK THE DOOR AT NIGH
[Rosario] I don't believe it.
What happened?
[Alfonso sobbing loudly, sniffling]
[poignant music playing]
It's important that you come with us
to identify the body.
[Alfonso continues sobbing loudly]
[groaning, crying out]
Ms. Porto, what the detective
is trying to explain to you
is that it would help
if you could give us a confirmation.
[Ríos] That's right.
[Alfonso sobbing] No. No.
- Is there a possibility you're mistaken?
- [Alfonso pleading] Oh, God.
I'm sorry, but if we weren't sure
it was her, we wouldn't have come.
[Alfonso] They must have taken her!
They must have taken her from home!
[Cristina] We're gonna find out.
[gulps] What do you know? What happened?
[shouts] What happened?
[Cristina] Mr. Basterra, I promise you,
my colleagues and I are working on it.
[Ríos] We're doing all we can. I promise.
We should seal the girl's room.
It's protocol.
[voice fading]
We also need you to give us her phone.
[poignant music continues]
[music builds]
FIRST ADOPTED CHINESE GIRL IN GALICIA
- [music fades]
- Tell Pablo we're on our way back.
Where?
Okay. Thank you.
[clock ticking]
[whispers] He says they have
a house in the country in Teo.
Okay, okay. Okay.
I'm sorry. Um
We understand that you have a house
in the country.
In the Montouto area, in Teo.
Yes, what about it?
[Ríos] The location of the house.
It's less than two and a half miles
from where they found the
Would the girl have gone there
for some reason?
No. How could she?
It's more than an hour's walk from here.
No, Asunta wouldn't do that.
She's more responsible.
She wouldn't disappear without telling us.
It was Rosario's parents' house.
They died last year
and, since then, we never go up there.
In any case, we should go there.
It'd be better
if we could all go together.
To rule out that she was there.
Sure.
[Rosario] This can't be.
This can't be, Alfonso,
it can't be her. It just can't be.
You heard the officers, Charo. It's her.
[Rosario] What could she have been doing
so far from home?
I don't know, I don't know.
I just hope they didn't rape her.
[Rosario] Don't say that, Alfonso.
Please don't, don't even think about it.
[on radio] Aforo to Civil Guard.
Judge Malvar is about to arrive.
He's asking for one of the officers
Turn that off.
where they found her body.
Drop me at the detour.
You go with them.
Your Honor.
[Pablo] Lieutenant Cruces is on her way.
Here's a suit and shoes
so you can enter the crime scene.
All right.
[Malvar] A moon this nice deserves
another night, right, Cristina? [grunts]
What do we have so far?
[coroner] There are no signs of dragging
on the ground or the feet.
From the body position,
we can tell they placed her carefully.
[assistant retches]
If you vomit at the scene,
then maybe you don't come next time.
Looks easy on TV
but it's harder in reality.
Are there shoes?
[coroner] She was barefoot.
Was she tied up?
[coroner] Looks like it
by the marks on her ankles and wrists
but she was found like this.
Something startled them
as they were dropping the body.
That's why they left the twine.
CIVIL GUARD
The UV light shows white stains
on the girl's T-shirt.
There's one there, on the seam
and under the sleeve.
Any idea what made these?
Fibers, resin, bleach, maybe or semen.
[clicks tongue] My God.
[inhales sharply] Jesus.
[dramatic music playing]
[Ríos] You said you were here
yesterday evening, Ms. Porto, right?
[Rosario] Yes, I came
to pick up some swimsuits.
Asunta stayed home, she was studying.
- Then you returned to Santiago?
- Yes. That's right.
When was that?
It was, um
- It was about 9:30, I think.
- [Ríos] Mmm.
- [starts]
- Charo. Watch your step.
- [Ríos] Careful.
- Careful, my love.
And when I got back home,
I noticed that Asunta wasn't there. [sobs]
It's okay. That's it. That's it.
That's it, Charito, calm down.
[keys jangling]
- Do you have the keys?
- Mm-hmm.
[keypad beeping]
Did the girl know the security code?
- Alfonso?
- Yes, yes, she did, of course.
Excuse me. That was a long ride.
I need to use the bathroom.
[footsteps on stairs]
[suspenseful music playing]
[shouts] Ms. Porto!
Ms. Porto!
You have a bathroom downstairs.
Yeah, but this is the only one working.
Are you okay?
Charo.
[Ríos] Get out.
- Get out!
- What's going on?
Get out! Do what I say!
Out!
- [Rosario] What's wrong?
- [Alfonso] I don't know, dear.
Are you sure, Ríos? The same orange twine?
[Ríos] I mean, I don't carry
a laboratory with me, Your Honor,
but it looks like they're identical.
- Her mom was there yesterday?
- [Ríos] Yeah, so she says.
All right, no one's allowed
in or out of there until I say so
and don't let anybody
touch that trash can.
Mm-hmm.
- Is that judge Malvar?
- Yes.
May I please speak to him?
Because we went to college together
and the last time I saw him
was at a Council House party.
Your Honor, Ms. Porto says
she'd like to speak to you
No, no, no. Tell her she can't.
Advise her to find a lawyer
to be present while we search the house.
I'll be there.
What? What's the hold up?
Are you waiting for sunrise
to take her to forensics? Let's go!
Oh. Fuck me.
They assigned Belategui.
When it rains it pours, am I right?
What an asshole.
He doesn't go to the crime scene
but he shows up at the search.
Good evening, attorney.
I'm happy to see you too, Your Honor.
I'm happier. I'm happier.
This way, please.
The parents are over here.
Luis!
[Malvar exhales]
Ms. Porto.
Can you tell me
why you don't want a lawyer?
That won't be necessary.
You know I'm a lawyer.
She doesn't need anyone.
[scoffs]
It's one thing to spend five years
studying at a college.
This is something entirely different.
I'm trying to help you, all right?
If they won't call,
bring in two public defenders.
Oh, by the way,
you don't have any issue
with us searching the house, right?
Of course not.
All right.
This way, sir.
JUDICIAL POLICE
CIVIL GUARD
You should head back to the city.
You know the area a lot better.
What?
You could take a closer look
at the girl's house and the neighborhood.
See if any businesses nearby
caught the girl on camera.
- Is that okay?
- Okay.
Thank you. Turrientes already knows. Hm?
[Ríos] Doctor Teixeiro.
There's the location of her apartment.
- This one?
- Yes, there.
- We need to comb this entire area. Okay?
- Mm-hmm.
[Ríos] Prioritize security cameras
from parking garages, shops, eh banks.
Any camera pointing at the street.
All right?
Velasco and Molina
are combing the area around Montouto.
[Turrientes] You have an extra map?
There.
- [camera beeping]
- [shutter clicking]
[suspenseful music playing]
[plastic bags rustling]
[no audible dialogue]
[water dripping]
[dramatic music playing]
[cellphone beeps]
CIVIL GUARD
FORENSICS
[shutter clicking]
Your Honor.
[sinister music playing]
[music builds, fades]
- Ms. Porto.
- [Rosario] Yes.
Explain all this to us.
[shakily] Uh
Uh
I get an allergic reaction
when there are dust mites,
so when I clean I use these masks.
Um. The tissues, I don't know.
Maybe Asunta used them to blow her nose.
From when we came
at the beginning of summer.
At the beginning of summer?
All right. No, I heard you say earlier
that you rarely come up here.
To be clear, can you say for certain
they're from the beginning of this summer?
- They look moist.
- [Alfonso] No, come on.
We have to change out the dehumidifiers
in this house all the time.
This house is more of a headache
than than than a joy.
It's Well, my ex-wife is selling it.
And maybe it was at the end of summer.
I don't know.
And the orange twine?
I assume there's a reason
for that to be here?
I don't know, I don't understand.
And remember,
you have the right to remain silent.
[Alfonso] Why should she?
She hasn't done anything.
They must be the gardener's,
for the plants in the garden,
or maybe the girl took them to play.
It's my first time seeing those,
I've never seen them before.
Ms. Porto, I think you said, um,
that you wanted to use to the bathroom?
Yes.
Come with me.
[blows raspberry] Oh!
- You wanted to use this toilet?
- [Rosario] Yes.
[water dripping]
Yes, it's the only bathroom that works
in the whole house.
Even if the house has five toilets,
it's the only one working.
I told the officer that.
What do you want me to say?
It is what it is.
Start the paperwork
as soon as they get to court.
- [dogs barking]
- Hey. [air kisses]
- Hey, hey. [laughing]
- [dogs panting]
I trust dogs more than I do most people.
- Hey, good morning.
- Morning.
Forgive me. Since cars aren't a problem,
- they're always loose.
- Don't worry.
What're their names?
- Sito and Miñanco.
- Ah. [chuckles]
- [neighbor] Come.
- Do you know the neighbors?
[neighbor] Ah, Rosario?
Yes, my whole life.
I was with her here yesterday afternoon.
They are very good people.
Did something happen to her?
No, not to her.
Was she alone when you saw her?
Yes. She said she had
to go back to Santiago
because Asunta was home studying.
- Thank you very much. Nice dogs!
- [neighbor] Yes.
If you want to stay sharp,
you need to eat.
- About time!
- Mmm.
[Malvar] Guess who's grumpy again.
- [Ríos] Nothing's better than churros.
- No-brainer.
[Malvar] Come on, Cruces,
have a mini-churro.
I'm fine, Your Honor, thank you.
But summer's over in Seville.
I'm sure you have no issue
fitting in your bikini.
- We're the ones who need a diet.
- Speak for yourself.
- Where are you with the cameras?
- Well, we're on it.
We have some of 'em
but we're still waiting for the rest.
Apply some pressure,
I want them right away.
At 5:00 p.m., the autopsy's ready.
Once Forensics sends the results,
I'll forward them over.
[TV reporter] The investigators have yet
to release the identity of the girl
- Hey, guys. Turn up the volume, please.
- [Ríos] Turn it up.
[indistinct chatter]
- Investigators found signs of a struggle.
- [Ríos] Everyone's on site.
- It's hard to imagine
- Those reporters stir the pot.
who could've done such a thing
Oh, Salgueiro, Salgueiro.
You reporters are vampires.
You rush in at the sight of blood.
- We're just doing our job.
- Yeah, I've heard that before.
Who's the girl?
I hear she's Rosario Porto's daughter.
Cut the bullshit, Malvar.
There aren't many
Chinese girls in Santiago.
It'll come out eventually.
I just want to be the first.
Don't ask me about that.
I can't comment, you know that.
A latte.
Pepe, our breakfast in there,
put it on his tab, please.
Who does that asshole think he is
to treat us like that?
[bangs countertop]
You need to calm down, Alfonso.
It's nothing personal,
he's just doing his job.
His job?
His job is to find
who did this to our daughter.
Rodrigo
You have to help us.
My father always trusted you.
What do you think we should do?
I'm not a criminal attorney, but
I think you should cooperate with them
as much a possible.
[Alfonso] Fuck no, I'm not cooperating
with that arrogant pig.
If I find him when this is over,
I'll give him a piece of my mind.
[Rosario] Alfonso, please shut up.
[Alfonso] Don't ever talk to me like that
if you want my support.
You think we can get through this
without each other?
Um, okay, I believe the investigators
are shooting in the dark.
They're looking for a real lead to follow.
They'll leave you alone when they find it.
And I'll be here for anything you need.
[Rosario whimpers]
But now you have to rest.
[Rosario crying]
You need your energy, Charo,
these days will be hard.
Thank you for everything.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[locks door]
DEAD GIRL IS ASUNTA BASTERRA PORTO
DAUGHTER OF LAWYER ROSARIO PORTO
[line ringing]
- [Salguiero] Alfonso?
- Salgueiro, thanks for picking up.
[Salguiero] My condolences, Alfonso.
I'm so sorry.
Hey, listen, I have to call in a favor
for all the years we worked together.
Remove the part of the article
saying she's Rosario's daughter.
You shouldn't even
Why are you reading articles?
Charo is having a really hard time
and this isn't helping.
[Salguiero] You can't ask me that
and you know it.
If I don't publish it, someone else will.
You know how this works.
But listen, if you need anything else,
whatever it is
I need you not to publish anything
about my daughter or my wife.
Isn't the pain we're going through
enough for you?! [slams phone]
[TV reporter] Galicia is in shock
after a tragic discovery
in the middle of the night
on a country road in Teo.
The body of a 12-year-old girl was found,
and according to initial investigations,
there were signs of violence.
Sexual assault has been ruled out,
but the body had bruising,
possibly from a bludgeoning.
[Rosario moaning]
[reporter] For now, we need to be careful.
We're talking about a minor
and they have yet to release
the results of the autopsy
that will be held
during the next few hours.
That autopsy will determine
the exact cause of death of the minor.
[Dolores] Charito.
Now everyone knows that my girl's dead.
Calm down.
- Everyone knows. [sobbing]
- It's okay. It's okay.
Calm down.
- [whining] Dolores.
- Oh, child.
[news report continues in background]
[Ríos] Hey? Can you resist?
What? No way.
- Oh, my God. I'd be dead tired.
- Uh.
Knowing I won't die from that poison
gives me solace.
The devil looks after his own, you know?
- [cellphone ringing]
- All right. [groans]
What's up, honey?
[Cristina] I know. Look honey, forgive me,
these days have been hard.
[man] I have an alarm. Get one.
- Do you know what I use as my alarm?
- Mm mm.
The constant feeling of sensitivity
I get here in my boobs,
- and constant bloating.
- Your boobs oh my God. Mmm.
[Cristina] They hurt so much.
I'm serious, my boobs hurt every second.
- Listen.
- What?
Help me out? Pretty please?
It makes me sick every time.
Are you kidding? With all the things
you see in your job every day.
Yeah. You're right, okay? But, look
You know what the difference is?
We're talking about my body.
Yeah.
I'm onto you, you did all this
so you didn't have to inject yourself.
I did?
It brings us together.
The poor girl still has undigested food
in her stomach.
- Mushrooms
- [Malvar] What else?
By the lacerations on her hands and feet,
we know she was tied up
while she was still alive.
- With the orange twine?
- That's not my job.
[clears throat] I'm sure of one thing.
She wasn't run over by a car.
There's no sign of that.
The cause of death
is what's most important.
I'm 99% sure that this was a homicide,
her death was caused by asphyxiation.
The girl didn't fight back too much.
So she was suffocated.
Did they rape her?
[coroner 2] It doesn't look like it.
And the fluid from her shirt?
The criminology department
is analyzing it in Madrid.
We also sent hair samples
and the contents of the stomach
to the Institute of Legal Medicine.
Our work here is done.
We don't need anything else.
Inform the family,
they can have her body back.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
[clock ticking]
THE FUNERAL IS TODAY
The articles say
she wasn't harmed beforehand.
How can this be happening to us?
What if we delayed the funeral
so your father can come?
Sorry, Charo, he won't be there.
What'll everyone think?
Not even the grandfather's there
You shouldn't be thinking
about others, Chari.
- What do you want me to think?
- [Dolores grunts]
After what happened to your parents,
be thankful they're not here.
They wouldn't be able
to cope with so much pain.
[gasps, breathes deeply]
- [door opens]
- Wait, Dolores, we're coming!
- [Dolores] It's late. Hurry up.
- [Alfonso] I'll zip you up. Come here.
[dogs barking]
[Dolores] Come on.
[Rosario whimpers]
Calm down.
[reporter 1] Is it them?
- [indistinct chatter]
- [reporter 2] It's them.
[Rosario] Aren't the police
going to get rid of them? Alfonso?
What can we do, dear?
It's called "freedom of the press."
Oh my God. How would they behave
if it was their daughter?
[Dolores] Unbelievable.
[reporters clamoring]
[reporters chattering indistinctly]
[reporter 3] Charo, Alfonso, over here.
[indistinct chatter continues]
[crying] I can't believe it.
I'd like to ask the reporters
to show some respect.
Please, Leire.
You're doing great. Ready? Okay.
She did well at school,
an affable young girl,
a real sweetheart. A special girl.
And surprisingly, on Saturday night
her parents are told
their daughter had passed away tragically.
I'm sure parents listening
could not imagine that.
Anybody with a heart
could understand the pain they are in.
[indistinct hushed chatter]
[woman whispering] Here they come.
I asked everyone to stay down here
so you could be alone inside.
Thank you.
[mourner] We're so sorry.
[whispering] This is so horrible.
We're with you.
I really appreciate it.
So, whatever you need, just ask.
She's in our prayers.
Father José María he's going to officiate
the mass at seven in San Fernando church.
[Alfonso] Thanks for taking care
of everything, Anselmo.
[Anselmo] "But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness,
and all these things
will be given to you as well."
God sees everything.
Tell me, did God see
who killed our daughter?
[poignant music playing]
THE CRESPO FAMILY WILL NEVER FORGET YOU
I can't recall that family, the Crespos?
Ah. They worked with my dad's firm.
It looks beautiful, Alfonso.
It's beautiful.
[sobbing]
We know she wasn't hit by a car, right?
Núñez and Vila are a couple of drunks,
but they didn't do this.
So now that we've ruled out who found her,
we should start interrogating anyone
who knew the girl.
She must've left with someone she knew.
- [knocking on door]
- Cristina.
[Cristina] Yeah?
You should see what I found
on the security cameras.
[Rosario] I need a memory of her.
[shutter clicks]
She's in our prayers.
It's beautiful, Alfonso.
[Alfonso shakily] My little girl.
My sweet Asunta.
Are you sure it's the girl?
It's not a reflection?
[Cristina] If you watch the footage,
you'll see that someone
is in the passenger seat.
Just watch.
[Ríos] There.
[suspenseful music playing]
We're ready to take her into custody,
but we're waiting for
Why wait?
[Ríos] When their little act
at the funeral home finishes,
we know where she is. What's the rush?
[Ríos] Maybe then we can avoid
creating a circus.
It's swarming with press.
[Malvar] Since when do I care
about the press?
- Are we sure that's the girl?
- I'm certain it's her.
Your Honor, maybe you want
to reconsider out of out of humanity.
What fucking humanity
are you talking about
after what we just discovered?
What if she escapes
and destroys evidence? Huh?
Will you talk about humanity then?
Arrest her now.
[Rosario] Hi, kids.
Thank you so much for coming.
In honor of Asunta, study a lot.
And get really good grades, okay?
- [Ríos, quietly] Ms. Porto.
- Thanks again. [gasps] Oh.
Thank you so much.
- Thank you so much for coming.
- Well, yes, I'm here.
- Thank you so much for coming.
- Hm.
Listen. Come with me, please,
just a moment. All right?
- [Rosario] Yes, of course.
- Come with me.
Have you found out anything?
No, no, we need more time. Come over here.
[whines]
- You have our complete trust.
- Yes.
I know you're doing everything
you possibly can.
- Of course, absolutely. Come with me.
- It means a lot.
[Ríos] This way, please.
- Where are we going?
- To the car, to the car.
- Cristina came?
- Yes, Officer Cruces is here.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Thank you so much.
You didn't need to come here.
Of course.
Cristina.
Thank you so much for coming.
You didn't have to come. Thank you.
Ms. Porto.
[car door opens]
[Ríos] Ms. Porto.
Thank you, dear.
[Ríos] Get in the car.
Move aside, if you would.
Ms. Porto, um
You're under arrest
for your alleged implication
in the death of your daughter
Asunta Basterra Porto.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say
can and will be used against you
- in a court of law.
- [sobs]
[Ríos] Please, Rosario,
try to remain calm.
[Rosario crying]
[Ríos] You have a right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney,
one will be appointed for you.
You may choose one person
to be informed of your arrest.
- Be strong, Alfonso.
- Thank you.
[Dolores] Where's Rosario?
Sorry. I don't know.
[Leire] What shocking news?
- Huh?
- [reporters chattering]
What's that? I can't hear you.
[reporter 4] She's hearing this just now,
live on the radio.
[reporter 5] Alberto! Bring the camera.
Excuse me. I was doing a live interview
with Galician radio
and they just informed me
of some breaking news.
It appears the Civil Guard
has taken the girl's mother into custody
for inconsistencies in her statement.
And about the mother
having inconsistencies Mmm.
I think as a human being
we have to consider a mom's nerves
after hearing about her daughter's death,
and how mistakes can happen.
- [reporter 6] It's just been confirmed.
- It's been confirmed?
[reporter 6] Yes, what do you think
about this news?
Trust me, I know without
a doubt she's not capable of this.
She's innocent, and loved Asunta.
A truly devoted mother.
And I would light my body on fire
if I was wrong.
Excuse me, I don't want to intrude.
- You didn't have to, Romina.
- You need to eat something.
- It has sausage.
- It is what it is.
Is it true what they say? It was her mom?
It's not clear.
I know she's hiding something.
[Romina] Why would a mother
kill her daughter?
[dramatic music playing]
SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
[clock ticking]
Based on a true story.
Parts are fictionalized
for privacy and narrative pace.
[end credits music playing]