A Grieving Family Seeks Justice and Questions the Prosecutor
The murder of Matías Julián Álvarez Guardia (29), which occurred on August 2, 2026 in Resistencia, the capital of the northern Argentine province of Chaco, continues to shock the nation. His girlfriend, Victoria Luz Cantero (25), is detained and charged with aggravated homicide due to their relationship. However, the victim’s family is dissatisfied with the investigation’s direction and plans to take a drastic step in the coming days.
According to reports from Infobae and Diario Norte, the family’s lawyer, Juan Arregin, announced they will formally request the removal of the prosecutor in charge, Ana González de Pacce, before the Provincial Attorney General’s Office.
Why Do They Want the Prosecutor Removed?
The lawyer based the request on three key points. He argued that during a press conference, the prosecutor “advanced a conclusion” by stating the event was a “couple’s fight,” which in his view demonstrates a loss of objectivity and impartiality.
“The prosecutor is clearly on the side of the murderer, so she cannot continue leading the investigation.”
Additionally, the family claims that the victim’s rights law was not respected, as they were not summoned to be informed of their role in the process. They will also seek to formally become plaintiffs (querellantes) to have a say in the evidence gathering.
The Sisters’ Heartbreaking Account: A Hidden History of Violence
In an interview with the program Mediodía Noticias on El Trece, Noelia, Julián’s sister, broke down as she recalled how the family tried to warn him about the toxic relationship with Cantero.
The sisters recounted that Julián would often show up with “scratches, bruises, and blows,” which he attributed to fights with others out of shame. “My mom once told me: ‘She’s going to end up killing him,’” Noelia said tearfully, adding that the victim refused to defend himself on principle.
Control, Jealousy, and a Pattern of Abuse
The statements revealed that the violence was not only physical but also psychological and financial. Cantero managed the victim’s cell phone and Instagram account, posting as if she were him. On one occasion, after an argument, the accused allegedly locked Julián out, smashed the windshield of his truck with a brick, and stole family jewelry and money.
The Prosecutor’s Version of the Fatal Morning
For her part, prosecutor González de Pacce maintains that the main hypothesis is that a quarrel took place at the home. The accused confessed to wounding him, and the victim suffered a stab wound to the neck/chest that caused cardiorespiratory arrest.
The brother of the accused, who took Julián to the Perrando Hospital, stated that he received a call from the young man at 6:00 a.m. asking for help and heard his sister shout: “Tell him you broke my cell phone.” The victim’s family, however, insists that it was a treacherous attack while Julián was sleeping and that there was no fight.
Lawyer Arregin also requested that new evidence be preserved, did not rule out further responsibilities in the crime, and recommended not cremating the victim’s body in case additional forensic studies are needed in this complex judicial case.