The person accused of killing Erika Yunga Alvarado, Igor P., is likely to avoid the death penalty in the near term, in part because he did not have a completed act of justice earlier. Recently, the 31-year-old Moldovan was moved to the intensive care unit at HUCA with a serious but stable prognosis after surgeons stopped life-threatening self-inflicted wounds following the alleged stabbing of the 14-year-old. The incident occurred at the entrance of his apartment building at number 69 on Vázquez de Mella Street. Months earlier, Igor P. narrowly escaped further trouble when he was arrested in Oviedo for verbally harassing several young women. One victim reported the incident to police, which led to his detention, but the case did not advance further and Erika’s alleged killer was released at that time.
Police sources indicate that the described harassment occurred in a different district of the city, not Vallobin. Erika Yunga Alvarado’s alleged killer remains largely unseen by neighbors who describe him as a figure more ghostly than real. Neither local residents, nor shopkeepers or workers at nearby eateries recalled meeting the 31-year-old man before the fatal confrontation as Erika walked up the stairs of the building. Yet last year, in a separate area of the capital, Igor P. reportedly frightened several girls by shouting abuse in the street, an incident that resulted in his arrest. The Moldovan has a police record but no substantial criminal history, since verbal abuse in those circumstances is typically treated as a minor offense.
Little is known about how the suspect arrived in the neighborhood. Testimonies from several neighbors, still visibly shaken by Erika’s death and unsettled by the presence of many journalists yesterday, suggest the neighbor next door may have had the most contact with the victim. The landlady, who has lived at 69 Vázquez de Mella for years, was the first to introduce the newcomer to Erika and to mention that the tenant was looking for parking nearby. Sometimes the two would cross paths during routine activities like disposing of trash. Beyond these routine exchanges, there are no notes of unusual behavior from the man.
Still, a general sense of fear had already spread through this part of West Oviedo, an area that has seen other violent incidents. A manager at a nearby grocery store described how elderly residents now express concern about who lives next door, noting the atmosphere of unease felt in the days after Erika’s death.
National Police investigators returned to the scene at 69 Vázquez de Mella yesterday to continue collecting evidence that could help clarify the details of the case. Earlier in the day, scientific police officers left the location with several evidence bags, while investigators and neighbors kept a close watch on access to the portal. In HUCA, the suspect remained in intensive care.
Medical sources confirm that the man sustained multiple self-inflicted injuries, including chest wounds, and underwent surgery late Tuesday night into the early hours. He left the operating room and was placed in the intensive care unit, where he was intubated and kept sedated for much of the day. Medical notes indicate that, while Erika was dragged into the home and restrained in a bathroom, the lacerations did reach major arteries. Despite the severity of Erika’s injuries, doctors reported no immediate life-threatening danger at that time. Medical updates also suggest that, barring new complications, the suspect could survive the multiple injuries he sustained.
Judicial avenues for possible permanent imprisonment
The investigation into Erika Yunga Alvarado’s death is moving forward rapidly. Yesterday, sources close to the case cited by the EFE agency indicated that police authorities are preparing the first formal charges of murder against Igor P. Although the filing is not finalized, legal sources consulted by the newspaper LA NUEVA ESPAÑA — which belongs to the same media group as this outlet — indicated that a murder charge is highly likely, with the charge potentially reflecting a treason-based element. If found guilty, the accused could face a prison sentence ranging from fifteen to twenty-five years. There is a caveat, however, that could tighten the sentence: given Erika’s age, the court could impose permanent imprisonment under the latest Penal Code reforms, allowing for review of the sentence if the defendant is later found guilty of the crime.