A court in Vélez-Málaga scheduled a hearing for Friday, September 23, to address the ongoing investigation into the death of a woman who vanished in Axarquía, with authorities pursuing leads that emerged through the course of a prolonged inquiry. The case has drawn significant local attention as investigators reassess the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the subsequent discovery of human remains in the surrounding area.
In the early stages of the investigation, the boyfriend of Dana Leonte became a focal point. He was arrested in November of the year the disappearance occurred, in relation to the missing person case. After the discovery of a leg bone near the family home, authorities detained him in custody for a period. Bail was later granted by the Malaga Court, allowing him to leave prison while the investigation continued.
Following years of detail-oriented work by prosecutors and investigators, the court, in July of the subsequent year, issued a ruling that the case should proceed to trial under the jurisdiction of the Jury Court, with charges connected to a suspected homicide. The resolution stated that the allegations faced by the suspects appeared to fit the elements of murder as understood under the law, noting that the offender is under investigation and the facts in question remain to be qualified further as the case evolves. The court thus placed the matter within the exclusive purview of the Jury Court for adjudication.
As the September 23 hearing approaches, all parties involved, including the person under investigation, were summoned to participate. They may respond to the charges or seek dismissal based on the evolving facts of the case. Forensic experts highlighted why additional investigative steps could be requested as new information comes to light, suggesting that the process could incorporate fresh procedures as the inquiry progresses.
Dana Leonte, the mother of a young child, disappeared on June 12, 2019. In the weeks that followed, multiple searches and raids targeted Axarquía in an effort to locate her. Initial arrests were made in connection with the disappearance, including the boyfriend who was detained and later released on bail after a key bone fragment was located several kilometers from the family residence. A second fragment later emerged in another location, reinforcing the seriousness of the investigation and the scrutiny of the involved parties.
The court’s decision to keep the investigation active was influenced by substantial evidence collected through telephone intercepts, geolocation data, and other references that the prosecutors described as critical indicators. The bail set by the Malaga Court, previously set at 8,000 euros, was part of a broader effort to balance the rights of the accused with the need to ensure the investigation proceeds without undue delay. In light of the evolving facts, prosecutors indicated that release on parole would be conditioned on the terms of the bail and ongoing cooperation with the investigation. The case remains a vivid reminder of how forensic science, digital traces, and courtroom procedures intersect in modern homicide investigations, underscoring the importance of carefully following due process while pursuing justice for the victim and the family involved.