by Emilee Gaebler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Recent events in the Northern Province of Salta have shocked the traveling community. Questions regarding the safety of visiting Argentina are being raised as a predominant concern in the wake of two violent murders.
The bodies of two French tourists were found near hiking trails in the San Lorenzo hills last Friday. A couple from Chaco was walking in the area, when they stumbled upon the bodies in a ravine just off the trail. The bodies were identified as Moumni Houdop and Cassandre Bouvier. Both women were French citizens around 30 years old.
The women were shot execution style, one in the back of the head and the other in her back. Their clothes were ripped and both bodies had lacerations on them. One of the bodies showed signs of sexual abuse. The women had arrived in Salta on July 11 and checked into a hostel where they intended to stay until July 19. They were last seen at their hostel on the 16th of July.
Police authorities have stated the belief that the women were most likely held for a number of days before being murdered. The inability to account for the two women’s whereabouts, for a number of days, and their backpacks remaining at the hostel indicate that a kidnapping is likely. It was released that the bodies were found roughly 48 to 72 hours after being shot.
José Hinojosa, the policeman in charge of Salta police press releases, stated that roughly 80 officers immediately and thoroughly searched the crime scene for evidence but were hindered by the hilly terrain, approaching night and cold temperatures. Forensic authorities have verified that DNA evidence was recovered from the bodies. Tests are being run and it is possible that the results will point officers towards those who so viciously committed these murders.
French authorities noted that they wanted “those who are responsible to be identified and tried.” The governor of Salta, Juan Manuel Uturbey, promised that authorities were working to “clear up this appalling crime immediately.” At this point, two suspects have been brought in for questioning but no arrests have been made. So far, no motive for the murders has been revealed.
For more information, please see:
The Argentina Independent – Two French Tourists Murdered in Salta – 30 July 2011
CNN World – Argentinian Authorities: 2 French Tourists ‘Viciously’ Killed – 31 July 2011
France 24 – Two French Tourists Killed in Northern Argentina – 1 August 2011
MercoPress – Argentine Police on the Track of Two French Tourist Packers Killed in Salta – 1 August 2011
CNN World – Argentinian Authorities Arrest Second Suspect in Tourist Murders – 3 August 2011
