“Your brother didn’t show up, did he? If he doesn’t arrive by eleven, we’ll call the police.” Lorena spoke into the phone with a tremor she could barely hide. He was speaking to his daughter, Carolina. They had three children, and they were chasing the eldest, David. I moved through the streets of Laguna de Duero in Valladolid, scanning for him. After singing a birthday song to his sister the night before, the young man had left the house in a rush, saying, “I have to go out, Mom.” Hours passed and there was no word from him.
Lorena clung to a flicker of hope, believing he would be back soon. Five minutes after receiving the call from her daughter, a message arrived. A photo circulated on WhatsApp and then landed in the family group: a boy lying in the lake area, his jacket, sweatpants, and face shown clearly. It was David lying on the ground.
Two years later, the family still seeks justice for David. The case remains unresolved, marked by an absence of suspects and a lack of concrete explanations. In the meantime, the family’s quest for truth continues, with Lorena determined to uncover what happened that night.
David Hernandez, 18 years old, was killed in Laguna de Duero at dawn on April 16, 2020. The scene suggested a violent struggle, with visible injuries to the head and multiple stab wounds. Investigations have not yielded a clear perpetrator, and the motive remains unclear. No weapon has been publicly identified, and witnesses have not provided a decisive lead.
The Civil Guard continues to review the case, a process described as confidential, while Lorena presses for answers. She urges anyone with information to speak up, hoping that breaking the silence might reveal the truth about David’s death.
David’s family album includes a young man who loved life, a boy who could light up a room with his smile. The family’s public recollections emphasize a routine life disrupted by an unfathomable tragedy. The search for understanding has become a daily ordeal, one that stretches beyond the confines of a single moment in time.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, brought a fragile calm to Laguna de Duero. The town was under strict lockdown measures, a backdrop to David’s increasing restlessness. His mother recalls his nerves and the subtle sadness the epidemic intensified in him. The birthday song for his sister had been sung the night before, and the next day promised a simple celebration with cake, yet the atmosphere was heavy with worry.
After midnight, David had left the house carrying his cell phone, lighter, and jacket. His mother urged him to stay indoors, but he insisted on going out. By about 1:00 a.m., he appeared increasingly agitated. Lorena followed him downstairs, but he disappeared before reaching home again. She tried calling and texting, but there was no reply. At around two in the morning, a phone call finally came through.
David’s mother reflects on the possibility that her son might have become involved in defending someone or himself. She considers the idea that David possibly knew his killer, a thought that is both unsettling and painful to confront.
By dawn, Lorena went out again and bought a cake, hoping her son would return safely. He did not. A sister’s phone call and a shareable image confirmed the worst: the clothing, the jacket, and the sweatpants matched the evidence they had seen in their own home. The authorities were alerted, but the initial response was tempered by cautions and misidentifications. An officer tried to calm the family, explaining that the body belonged to a minor, which the family immediately disputed. The documents they presented confirmed that David was 18; the discovery deepened the family’s grief and resolve.
David’s body was found later that morning near the sports center. A bystander saw what appeared to be an unconscious young man and alerted the Civil Guard. The scene showed signs of a violent confrontation, with one shoe missing and other items scattered nearby. Despite attempts to revive him, David had died hours earlier, just a short distance from home.
A theory began to circulate: perhaps a robbery or a confrontation escalated into a fatal clash. Lorena questions the lack of a clear motive. She notes that the town’s discussion has expanded to questions about potential witnesses, possible suspects, and the broader social dynamics that could have culminated in such violence. The case remains open, with investigators continuing their work while the family endures the passage of time with a growing sense of urgency.
In the ongoing narrative, no weapon has been publicly identified and no decisive witness has emerged. The Civil Guards have searched the park and surrounding areas for clues, even deploying underwater divers to explore the nearby lagoon, but nothing conclusive has been recovered. Each passing day intensifies the sense of unanswered questions, and Lorena faces the holidays with a heavy heart, yearning for clarity and closure.
David is remembered as a bright, affectionate person who loved music, humor, and sports. The family holds on to photographs, letters, and memories that illustrate the warmth he shared with those around him. Lorena speaks of a son who cared for others, a boy whose kindness was a defining trait. Her plea is simple and grave: justice, and a clear explanation of why this happened.
As the investigation continues, the family remains hopeful that the truth will emerge. The community is called to reflect on the impact of violence and the importance of speaking out when questions remain. The road to answers may be long, but the resolve to uncover the truth about David’s death remains a steady beacon for Lorena and her children.