The death of Dafne Zapata Quintos by asphyxiation at a military academy in Tamaulipas was investigated as a suspected femicide. This followed the return of the 13-year-old’s lifeless body to her mother and the emergence of accounts regarding her prior fear, visible injuries, and a farewell that took on new significance after the discovery.
There were 11 students in total at the camp: six boarders and five day students. Dafne and another girl were the only females in the group—a circumstance that, according to one mother’s account, led them to stick together and protect one another during their stay.
State prosecutor Jesús Eduardo Govea Orozco confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxiation. He also stated that the investigation was proceeding under the presumption of femicide, while forensic examinations and expert analyses continued in order to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the death, which occurred on Thursday.
A mother identified as Betzaida stated that her daughter had spent time with Dafne during the summer camp at the Marina Doenit military academy. She claimed that, starting the Tuesday before her death, the teenager had exhibited behavior that seemed unusual to her: she refused to go get water or use the restroom alone and constantly asked for company.
