In Sabadell, judge Juan Díaz Villar directs a fresh inquiry into the murder case of Helena Jubany from December 2, 2001. The National Police and the government’s scientific unit, along with the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, are handling all analyses. The results to date from those analyses have been negative. Jubany’s sweater from the night of the crime yielded no biological material linking Santi Laiglesia or Xavier Jiménez, the two men previously examined in this case, which was reopened as it neared prescription at the end of 2021.
At the family’s request, the genetic material from one or two unidentified men found on Jubany’s jersey will be reexamined by the Forensic Sciences Institute of the University of Santiago de Compostela. The aim is to determine, using current advanced techniques, whether it matches either Laiglesia or Jiménez. So far, the results do not support that link.
female DNA
The family also asked for unidentified DNA traces to be checked against existing female genetic profiles. Prior investigations had already looked at Montse Careta and Ana Echaguibel. Judge Díaz denied that second request but ordered both the institute and the police to verify whether any of the unidentified DNA samples could belong to a woman outside Jubany. The outcomes from both institutions were negative. Careta’s sister, who later died by suicide in prison after her arrest, asserted that she maintained her innocence and said she had been pressured by her partner Laiglesia.
DNA samples recovered from Jubany’s body and her sweater belong to two unknown individuals. Based on current genetic testing, these individuals are not Laiglesia or Jiménez. Jubany reportedly surrendered before the murder occurred.
biological clues
The clothing Jubany wore on the day of the murder stayed in the courthouse for two decades. A severely degraded biological sample from the victim’s brown sweater contained DNA from at least two people. One person was Jubany; the other was an unidentified man. The judge has requested a new joint comparison of this sample with the known profiles of Laiglesia and Jiménez.
Additionally, the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Science reported that it held a cotton swab used during the autopsy conducted a few hours after the crime, as well as samples from the victim’s fingernail. Analysis with the then-available technology revealed genetic material from another unknown person, another man, on both the nail and the swabs.
anonymous
The judge remains focused on the DNA evidence, arguing there are indications that Jiménez participated in Jubany’s murder and that Laiglesia, long identified as a principal suspect in the case, may have been involved as well. Shortly before Jubany’s death, two anonymous letters were received on September 17 and October 9, 2001. The National Police allege Jiménez authored them, despite his refusal to supply the texts from that period. Jiménez claimed he could not locate any handwritten documents from 2001.
Both anonymous notes were left at Jubany’s doorstep and accompanied by drinks horchata and orange juice. The beverages contained the same drugs found in Jubany’s body, which helped render the killers drowsy.
In the order, the judge notes that Jiménez knew Jubany enjoyed horchata because they had shared that drink before. The second letter arrived on a day when Jiménez was known to be away from his duties at the Barcelona City Council, making it difficult to explain his presence at Jubany’s home that day.
The letters offered detailed clues, suggesting the author wished to learn English or to arrange another trip with Jubany. The Sabadell Walkers Association (UES) noted that Jubany confided to a friend that Jiménez might be behind them. Both Jubany and Jiménez belonged to the UES; Jiménez had pursued an affair with Jubany, which created distance between them.
Church
The church area where Jubany’s body was later found played a notable role. The block had been a frequent place for Jubany to stay overnight because Careta’s apartment (Laiglesia’s partner in 2001) was nearby. In that building, empty boxes of a drug called Noctamide were found along with other related items, and traces of benzodiazepines were discovered in the victim’s system. Investigators also found matches on the roof that could have been used to burn parts of Jubany’s remains. Laiglesia had a confrontational history with Careta whenever questioned by police after the crime. Phone calls Jubany received from Careta’s landline in the days before the murder were also noted, with conjecture that Laiglesia might have placed them.
Jubany’s murder ultimately reached a late stage in 2021, marking twenty years since the event. Laiglesia remained under formal investigation until 2005, when the case was closed. The same fate befell Careta and Echaguibel as well. Under the current timeline, the statute of limitations for Laiglesia and Echaguibel would not expire until 2025, given the ongoing investigations and legal definitions surrounding the case. [citation]