Pablo Laurta crossed the Uruguay River by kayak to commit the triple murder in Entre Ríos without being detected by border controls. — Laurta crossed the Uruguay River by kayak and hid the boat in a mountain near Puerto Yeruá.

Triple homicide in Entre Ríos: Pablo Laurta's methodical plan

The Uruguayan crossed the river by kayak, evaded border controls, and carried out a criminal itinerary that left three victims dead in Argentina.

The Pablo Laurta case shook the region with a sequence of events that, according to Argentine authorities, were coldly calculated from Uruguay. The triple homicide in Entre Ríos not only resulted in three violent deaths, but also exposed a surgical plan that, in the words of Entre Ríos' Minister of Security and Justice, Néstor Roncaglia, "reflects a methodical criminal mind."

A silent crossing that triggered horror

It all began in Montevideo, where Laurta lived. From there, he moved to Salto, a city on the border with Argentina, and rented a cabin for ten days. It wasn't a recreational getaway: during that time, he trained in kayaking with a clear goal: to cross the Uruguay River without going through immigration checkpoints.

Once in Argentine territory, he hid the boat in a wooded area of Puerto Yeruá and headed to Concordia. That same night, he hired Martín Palacio, a driver he apparently trusted. The agreed-upon destination was Rafaela, but they ended up in Córdoba. Hours later, the driver's cell phones were turned off. Days later, his lifeless body was found.

Two femicides and a kidnapping

Once in Córdoba, Laurta went to the home of his ex-partner, Luna Giardina, and his ex-mother-in-law, Mariel Zamudio. Both were murdered with a gun registered in his name. He then kidnapped his five-year-old son, Pedro, and took a taxi to Gualeguaychú. His intention was to return to Uruguay, but was arrested before he could.

Luna Giardina and Mariel Zamudio, victims of the triple murder in Entre Ríos perpetrated by Pablo Laurta after crossing from Uruguay. — Luna Giardina and Mariel Zamudio were murdered in Córdoba by Pablo Laurta, who had crossed from Uruguay with a weapon registered in his name.

A criminal itinerary traced from Uruguay

Roncaglia was blunt: "He had a criminal plan to come and kill these two people, and we believe Martín as well. That was the plan from the moment he left Uruguay." The investigation revealed that Laurta handled every variable with precision, from kayak training to using alternative routes to avoid detection.

The weapon used in the crimes was registered in his name, which reinforces the hypothesis of a premeditated act. Furthermore, the connection to the murdered driver suggests that he was not a random victim, but rather part of a planned route.

Map of Pablo Laurta's route from Montevideo to Córdoba, passing through Salto, Puerto Yeruá, Concordia, and Gualeguaychú, in the context of the triple homicide in Entre Ríos. — From Montevideo to Córdoba: Pablo Laurta's criminal journey included a kayak crossing of the Uruguay River, the murder of three people, and an escape attempt with his son.

Capture and judicial process

Laurta was arrested in Gualeguaychú while attempting to return to Uruguay with his son. He is currently in custody of the Argentine justice system, while evidence is being analyzed that could link him to other violent incidents in the area.