Femicide in Entre Ríos: Daiana Mendieta found in a cistern
The community of Gobernador Mansilla , in southern Entre Ríos, is going through hours of shock after the discovery of the lifeless body of Daiana Magalí Mendieta, a 22-year-old woman who had disappeared on Friday, October 3. Her body was found this Tuesday at the bottom of a rural cistern, about 10 meters deep, in a remote area known as Los Zorrinos, near the El Silencio country club and five kilometers from the access to the town.
The well, hidden among branches and leaves, was located about 500 meters from Route 12. According to investigators , only someone with knowledge of the area could have accessed the site. The autopsy confirmed that Daiana was shot.
The search operation, which lasted more than 72 hours , mobilized more than 130 people, including police officers, volunteer firefighters, cadets, sniffer dogs, and drones. The first clue emerged when the young woman's car, a Chevrolet Corsa, was found abandoned with the keys in the ignition on a rural road four kilometers from the town center.
Investigation and arrest of the main suspect
The prosecutor's office, headed by Emilce Reynoso and Sergio Saliski, ordered a series of raids after analyzing security cameras , testimony, and telephone interviews. Early Sunday morning, a 55-year-old man nicknamed "Pino" was arrested. He lived just one kilometer from the victim and had allegedly been in contact with her minutes before her disappearance.
During a raid on a warehouse rented by the suspect at the corner of Moreno and Pedro Lucero, two cell phones, two rifles, and a white Hilux pickup truck were seized. The suspect attempted to manipulate a firearm and was subdued by police.
Victim profile and latest signs
Daiana was originally from Gobernador Mansilla, a town of fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. She graduated in 2024 as a Grain Classifier and dedicated herself to writing and astrology, activities she shared on social media. On her personal Instagram account, days before her disappearance, she posted a phrase that resonates with pain today : "Jumping into the first thing that makes her feel alive."
Although she had been absent from her home on other occasions, this time she cut off all contact with her family, which quickly triggered a missing person's report. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the crime was premeditated and are working on the hypothesis of a staged attempt to cover up the femicide.
Repercussions and demand for justice
The femicide of Daiana Mendieta sparked a strong reaction on social media and local media. Residents of Gobernador Mansilla organized a vigil in the main square, while family members and friends called for a march to demand justice and speedy judicial proceedings. The slogan "Not one less" resonated once again in a community devastated by the horrors.
The Entre Ríos Ministry of Security confirmed that immediate search protocols will be strengthened in response to reports of disappearances, especially in rural areas. The case also revived the debate over access to justice in small towns, where resources are limited and state presence is often intermittent.
The investigation remains under seal, but authorities maintain there is sufficient evidence to advance charges against the detainee. Meanwhile, Daiana's family is demanding remembrance, truth, and justice.
Institutional context and regional perspective
The femicide of Daiana Mendieta is part of a problem affecting the entire country: so far this year, more than 200 women have been murdered in the context of gender-based violence, according to data from specialized organizations. In Entre Ríos, the case rekindles the call for effective public policies, territorial presence, and action protocols that consider the specificities of rural areas. Media visibility and judicial support will be key to preventing this crime from going unpunished.
