Catalina Gutierrez, a 21-year-old social media influencer from Cordoba, Argentina, was found dead in her mother’s car, allegedly murdered by her classmate, Néstor Soto. Gutierrez’s body was discovered on Wednesday night, July 17, 2024, in a vacant car park, partially burned in the back seat of a Renault Clio.
Gutierrez, who had 100,000 followers on Instagram and 36,000 on TikTok, was last seen leaving her home to meet friends at the Patio Olmos shopping center. She reportedly sent her boyfriend an audio message to tell him she was on her way. Her friends alerted her family when she failed to show up or answer messages.
Her sister managed to track her phone’s location, leading to the discovery of Gutierrez’s body. Police quickly initiated an investigation. During these interviews, Soto, a fellow architecture student at the National University of Cordoba, confessed to the crime after inconsistencies in his statements.
Soto, who had moved to Cordoba from Bariloche in 2021, was part of Gutierrez’s friend group and according to her father, had been to their home “a thousand times”. He admitted to being infatuated with Gutierrez, referring to her as “the love of his life” despite their lack of a romantic relationship. Investigators believe that Soto lured Gutierrez to his house, attacked her until she was unconscious, and then moved her body to her car before setting it on fire in an attempt to erase evidence.
An autopsy revealed that Gutierrez died from asphyxiation by strangulation. Additionally, her body bore multiple injuries from blows, and the burns were believed to have been inflicted post-mortem. No evidence of sexual assault was found.
Gutierrez’s father, Marcelo, expressed his devastation and desire for justice. “I am in pain, my heart is breaking, and I don’t understand it. The only thing I want is justice and for him to rot in prison for the rest of his life,” he told an Argentinian news outlet. He described his daughter as “an excellent daughter” and “a perfect student,” adding that she had never mentioned anything unusual about Soto’s behavior.
Soto has been arrested and charged with homicide. As the investigation continues, the community in Cordoba and beyond is struggling with the loss of a young woman who was celebrated for her joyful presence on social media.