A 24-year-old Italian student disappeared on the island of Palma, Majorca, Spain, after a night out partying with friends on October 2, 2024, leading to a grim discovery at a waste treatment facility.
Agostina Rubini Medina was last seen around midnight after separating from her friends in the capital city of the Spanish island. Police investigators believe Rubini Medina may have dropped her phone into a large garbage bin and attempted to retrieve it, subsequently losing consciousness inside the container.
A shop employee near a bus stop along Medina’s route home reported that she appeared visibly intoxicated and had bought a bag of chips shortly before midnight.
Law enforcement officials tracked the student’s phone, which remained stationary at the garbage bin location for approximately 30 minutes before moving to a waste incineration plant. The phone signal ceased at 12:52 a.m. when the garbage truck reached the facility.
According to police, survival inside a rubbish truck would not have been possible. Investigators believe that the truck’s compactor likely crushed her before being transported to the incineration facility.
Witnesses reported seeing Rubini Medina’s handbag and blouse near the garbage bin shortly before workers arrived to empty it.
Human skeletal remains were later discovered at the Son Reus incinerator plant, and authorities are awaiting DNA test results for verification of identification.
Police investigators noted that Rubini Medina had a slight build and low alcohol tolerance. She was also taking medication at the time, which may have contributed to her losing consciousness.
“The investigation is ongoing,” stated local law enforcement officials, who tentatively plan to hold a press conference later this week to provide additional details. Investigators believe the death was accidental, with no evidence of aggression or suicide.