Investigation and arrests surrounding a Valencia region case
Two men, Antonio Caba and Gaspar Rivera, are under Civil Guard scrutiny for involvement in the disappearance and death of businessman Juan Miguel Isla. Isla’s body was found on March 14 at a farm in Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real. After months of absence following a summer meeting with Caba about a farm sale in Manzanares, Rivera and Caba believed the investigation would not reach them. The Civil Guard, led by the Central Operating Unit, intensified efforts at the start of the year and tied new evidence to the suspects, eroding their sense of safety until a decisive breakthrough in January.
Investigative reports reveal that the operation, led by Prensa Ibérica and documented through the Italian CASO ABIERTO channel, shows a determined search for Isla and the people believed to be responsible. A respected real estate broker in Manzanares and a retired gambler are described as central figures who allegedly promised a payment of 25,000 euros to help dispose of Isla’s body and vehicle.
At the home of Antonio Caba, investigators discovered a handwritten note: “May God forgive me… spiritually.”
Throughout the inquiry, authorities tracked movements, gathered recordings, and photographed steps taken by both suspects. A key confession followed, with Rivera admitting his role in the murder while implying that Caba directed the plan to conceal the body and abandon the car.
Real estate and the final sale
Case documents show Isla had sold a farm named Mile Mountain for 1,350,000 euros in Manzanares. The transaction involved two transfers and four cash deliveries, each worth 50,000 euros. Isla reportedly received the final payment on the day he was killed and traveled to La Solana with Caba on the morning of July 22. A traffic camera captured them returning to Manzanares in Caba’s BMW, the last live sighting of Isla before his phone ceased signaling at 12:14 a.m.
An hour and a half later, a security camera recorded Isla’s Renault Clio heading toward Membrilla on the Manzanares highway, with Gaspar at the wheel. The vehicle paused at the Virgen del Espino gas station in Ayva, where another camera filmed Gaspar refueling and purchasing snacks. The car then moved toward an open area in Albacete, where authorities recovered it and later traced Gaspar’s route back home on a bus and taxi. According to his statement, Caba paid him 500 euros to hide the car and discard the key.
One of the accused, Antonio Caba, reportedly kept firearms at his residence, a detail noted by investigators amid broader evidence of a seasoned pattern in handling weapons.
Rivera’s demeanor during the investigation raised concerns. The discovery of Isla’s car in an open field in Albacete on January 27 prompted Rivera to call Caba in a cautious exchange that led to a planned meeting in Caba’s garage that afternoon. In recorded exchanges, Rivera mentions that they were being watched and must proceed carefully, underscoring the fear of being caught.
Biological traces and the escalation of the case
In the Civil Guard report, the appearance of Isla’s car triggered unease among the suspects. Caba quickly arranged a meeting with his attorney, while investigators note a growing likelihood of evidence linking the two to the crime and the vehicle. The presence of biological traces or marks inside the car is described as a factor strengthening the case against them. The report also notes that both men had active phone and car movements that could reveal patterns of conduct connected to Isla’s disappearance.
The police had placed a microphone in the car regularly used by Caba. This allowed them to capture admissions and express concerns about the investigation and the risk of arrest. The audio supported the notion that both men were trying to keep a low profile as events unfolded.
Phone activity and competing movements
The suspects realized the Civil Guard was tracking the farm Isla had sold a few days before his disappearance. They visited the property on March 3 and March 8 to confirm whether investigators were present. To avoid leaving traces, they left their phones in another town. The March 14 discovery of Isla’s body at the farm led to Rivera’s confession and accusations against Caba, who was named as the principal orchestrator.
The investigation notes that gas station visits, grocery purchases, and routine trips formed a web of movements tied to the case. Authorities reported a series of short, direct stops that fit the pattern of concealment rather than ordinary business behavior, further supporting the theory of a premeditated act.
The two suspects faced arrest and were remanded into custody. The court proceedings imply that the central motive involved financial damage linked to the farm sale, with a portion of the payment allegedly disappearing during the timeline of events. Financial stress described in the case may have contributed to a decision that turned deadly.
Extreme circumstances and personal strain
Rivera’s background as a gambler is highlighted as a potential driver of reckless decisions. Records show extensive participation in gambling activities, with visits to multiple arcades over a six-month period. On the day of the crime, Rivera spent several hours in a gaming room in Valdepeñas. Investigators note that persistent gambling pressure could influence a person’s willingness to engage in risky or illegal actions to secure funds.
Authorities describe Caba as a controlling figure who wielded influence over Rivera. A broad inventory of firearms and ammunition found at Caba’s residence includes several rifles and pistols, alongside a handwritten note of remorse from Isla’s alleged killer. The notes and weapons together paint a portrait of a man who may have justified his actions through a sense of financial desperation and fear of exposure.
The ongoing case continues to unfold as investigators pursue further leads. The dynamic suggests a carefully planned crime, with both men facing serious legal consequences for actions linked to Isla’s disappearance and death.