An investigation is underway in Ecuador following the discovery of the remains of a 16-year-old girl in the province of El Oro. The victim was identified by authorities as Leslibeth Anahí García Farías, a student with no prior criminal record or known associations with local gangs.
According to police reports, the incident came to light on the morning of Saturday, October 24, 2026, near the César Fadul Coliseum in the canton of Pasaje. A passerby alerted local authorities after noticing a suspicious bag left on the sidewalk. Upon inspection, law enforcement officials discovered part of the teenager's remains alongside a written note threatening anyone who collaborated with authorities as an informant.
Investigators also recovered a video that circulated online prior to the discovery, in which the young victim appeared under duress, forced to make statements suggesting involvement in espionage. National Police units, including the Directorate of Crimes against Life, Violent Deaths, Disappearances, Extortion, and Kidnapping (Dinased) alongside Criminalistics and the Prosecutor's Office, have secured the area and collected physical evidence from the scene.
Preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation indicate that the victim was a regular student who maintained no connection to criminal factions. Authorities are examining multiple hypotheses regarding the motive, including the possibility of a personal dispute or retaliation disguised as an organized crime message. Investigators are actively reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and the recovered communications to identify those responsible.
The event underscores ongoing security challenges in the region, where authorities continue to grapple with elevated levels of violent crime and intimidation tactics employed by criminal networks operating throughout coastal provinces.
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