Legal Proceedings in a Tenerife Murder Case Involving José Miguel Quintero
A man named José Miguel Quintero, who goes by the nickname Penguin, faced serious allegations after a fatal incident in the Santa Úrsula area, north of Tenerife, in July 2020. Reports describe a tense relationship with his partner, Carolina Fumero, and suggest that she had expressed fears for her safety in the days leading up to the crime. Witnesses confirmed Carolina feared for her life and suspected that the accused could harm her, and some testimony indicated she had written letters expressing distress and deep warning signs about her situation. These letters were later presented in court by Erika Hair, the attorney representing Carolina’s daughter, during the initial sessions of the local jury court in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
On the morning of June 14, a witness who was close to both Quintero and the victim disclosed plans discussed about ending the relationship on July 14, just two days before a fatal event. The two had frequented a bar in Santa Úrsula and later visited Quintero’s home on several occasions. There, it is alleged the pair drank together and sometimes used cocaine, although Quintero is said to have limited himself to alcohol. The witness recounted hearing Quintero say he was tired of the relationship and that he might end it, at times suggesting he could harm Carolina, even contemplating his own suicide. The witness, however, did not believe at that moment that Quintero would kill Carolina.
In the days that followed the crime, Quintero allegedly tried to contact a close friend to communicate a troubling message and to seek a way to evade accountability. The individual testified that Quintero spoke of something grave happening and hinted at concealing a body. Questions from a legal representative for the Canary Institute for Equality drew out that the witness could not ascertain whether any others were involved in planning the act. The trial record also referenced a constellation of relationships around Carolina, including a friend who was her ex-partner and with whom she had previously shared a residence. This person acknowledged persistent conflicts between Carolina and Quintero and noted that the victim, in the weeks before her death, had been living with him despite restraining orders issued by local courts.
One friend of Carolina recalled that the victim feared for her life and believed the accused might act today. The testimony highlighted the emotional turmoil that marked their relationship, with the friend acknowledging that letters written by Carolina sometimes reflected intense emotions when she felt overwhelmed. Another witness, who had received Carolina’s letters, described handing them to a separate friend who was her daughter’s godfather. This man testified about the long-standing friendship and the strain the couple faced, including the victim’s reports of not feeling safe in the relationship. Civil Guard officials, unable to locate Carolina directly, relied on a friend to relay messages about the situation.
During further testimony, a different witness stated that Carolina had asked someone to locate letters where she expressed her feelings in case something serious happened. The witness admitted urging Carolina not to return to live with Quintero because the situation could escalate. It was noted that Carolina returned to Quintero after warnings, including alleged threats against her sister and her daughter. The witness described how Carolina often secured support from friends and family while coping with ongoing relationship difficulties. He recalled seeing Carolina frequently and observed Quintero’s jealousy during that period, including situations where Carolina would take advantage of moments when Quintero was distracted.
Carolina’s daughter testified that her mother avoided sharing details about the assaults and relationship problems. The daughter explained that her father informed her mother had injuries and that a court had previously ruled against Quintero for such acts. The daughter described her mother as someone who sought help and basic needs such as food, and she indicated that her mother kept diaries or loose papers that captured her thoughts and feelings.
Jonay Martin, a friend of Penguin, testified about his involvement and the events surrounding the days after the murder. He described a late-night visit to Quintero’s home where discussions took place, including parts of the conversation that suggested a violent outcome. He recalled hearing phrases that implied a fatal action had already occurred and described the emotional shock of witnessing the aftermath. Martin described a moment when Quintero indicated a plan to hide or dispose of a body and spoke of someone encouraging self-harm as a form of escape. The testimony included details about the contents of bags and containers used in the alleged concealment, with investigators later linking these items to the crime scene.
The investigation followed a series of movements, including a stop at a local gas station after the event. Martin reportedly shared his observations with others, and eventually a civil guard unit was alerted to the possibility of a murder. The subsequent legal process involved careful procedural steps as authorities worked to establish the sequence of events and determine any involvement by others in concealing the crime. The case remains a stark example of how relationship violence can culminate in a fatal act and how investigators piece together a narrative from testimonies, letters, and material evidence.
As the court proceedings progressed, prosecutors and defense teams examined the credibility of witnesses who described fear, threats, and the emotional turmoil surrounding Quintero and Carolina. The testimonies reflected a pattern of coercion and fear that often accompanies intimate partner violence. The court continues to weigh the evidence and determine responsibility for the tragedy in Santa Úrsula, with the aim of delivering a just decision based on the facts presented in the hearings.
Notes: This account summarizes court testimonies and police reports related to the events in 2020. Citations drawn from trial records and official statements are provided for context and verification.