A surprising discovery in the Canary Islands sparked a complex legal and forensic process. Authorities in Tenerife reported finding part of a human skeleton inside a San Sebastián de La Gomera resident’s home as part of a broader inquiry. Public access to the San Sebastián de La Gomera municipal cemetery was halted today by a judicial commission so that a body could be exhumed and examined in relation to a case involving the deceased person’s honor and a possible religious or cultural offense. The case is being overseen by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC).
The investigation stemmed from complaints filed with the Court of First Instance and the Order No. 1 of San Sebastián de La Gomera. The proceedings, which concluded on 19 October, involved a woman who reported the alleged harassment and expanded the scope of the inquiry into related matters. The Civil Guard presence in Arona, Tenerife, supported the inquiry during this period.
During the witness statement, the alleged victim described a disturbing scene in which human skeletal remains were reportedly taken from a tomb in the San Sebastián de La Gomera cemetery. The suspect was arrested the following day, 20 October. A subsequent search of his residence in Playa de las Américas, Arona, produced the order authorizing the excavation and the discovery of human bones. The remains were described as comprising a skull, two femurs, two tibial plates, two humeri, an ulna, fragments from the proximal tibia, and a possible metatarsal fragment.
Researchers noted that the remains appeared to be associated with a religious practice. The investigation contends that the Kimbisa religious tradition known as Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje might be interpreted as a heterodox branch of early Christianity, reflecting a syncretic blend of religious and cultural elements associated with Cuban Palería. This interpretation is presented as part of the researchers’ description of the case and its wider cultural context.
Transfer to La Gomera
Following the discovery, the investigating court in Arona chose not to advance the case there and instead directed a team from the Judicial Police to travel to La Gomera. Accompanied by the woman who reported the case, the team visited a cemetery within the island’s capital. She pointed to a grave and indicated that her partner had manipulated the scene and tucked something into his backpack.
The daughter of the person buried in that tomb was contacted and confirmed that the tombstone was damaged, the grave was partially open, and the site showed signs of disturbance during the summer months. The judicial authorities assessed the circumstances as potentially constituting a crime against respect for the dead. They considered comparing the genetic profile of the cremated material with the remains found in the suspect’s laundry area as part of the investigation.
The judge acknowledged that the defendant’s right to ideological freedom, including religious expression, and the deceased’s right to honor, privacy, and image must be weighed. The court noted that the living and the dead have overlapping rights, but the legal framework allows limited exceptions when the termination of life creates a unique situation. The doctrine commonly referred to as the preservation of past personality suggests that some rights related to a deceased person may endure in the interests of justice, though a definitive autopsy may be possible under certain conditions.
In considering the balance between freedom of thought and freedom of religion and the protection of the deceased’s memory, the court referred to established jurisprudence from the Supreme Court. In particular, it cited the principle that freedoms of conscience and belief cannot be used to commit crimes.
Procedural steps were taken to determine the scope of the investigation. The examining judge ordered the exhumation of the remains in response to a positive report from the Public Prosecutor. The municipal cemetery in San Sebastián de La Gomera was closed to the public for the duration of the procedure, and the local authorities ensured that proper procedures were followed for the exhumation and subsequent analysis.
Tests
A coroner appointed by the court conducted examinations in the presence of the district attorney and the defendant’s legal counsel. Bone samples recovered from the tomb were prepared for genetic comparison against the bones found at the suspect’s residence. The process was designed to establish any possible link between the remains and the individual under investigation. The defendant remains on bail while prosecution continues with the case for alleged crimes against the dignity and memory of the deceased.
Overall, the events underscore the tension between religious expression, respect for the dead, and the due process rights of those under investigation. The authorities continue to pursue all legally permissible avenues to determine the facts, evaluate the evidence, and protect both public order and individual rights in this sensitive matter. Resonance with cultural and religious practices is noted, but the investigation emphasizes that criminal acts cannot be justified by belief or custom. This case continues to unfold under the supervision of the Canary Islands judicial authorities and the national legal framework for crimes concerning the dead.
Attribution: Official case documentation and jurisdictional statements referenced through the Canary Islands judicial system, with acknowledgment of the involved agencies and legal authorities.