Who was Melisa Palacios, the young woman killed in Zacapa in 2021 and whose case still does not resolve

The name of Melisa Palacios is again in the news in Guatemala. Almost four years have passed since the crime in Zacapa, but so far their case is still unresolved.

For last Thursday, in Zacapa, the intermediate stage audience for María Fernanda Bonilla was scheduled. Judge Juan José Regalado Rivas had to resolve whether the aforementioned would face trial or not; However, the audience was suspended due to a challenge.

Melissa Alejandra Palacios Chacón was 21 when she disappeared on July 4, 2021 in San Jorge, Zacapa. His family activated an Isabel-Claudina alert, and both they and the authorities began their search.

A day later, Melisa Palacios was located lifeless in a wooded area of ​​Río Hondo, Zacapa. According to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), the young woman died from blows to the head and sexual assault was ruled out.

Who was Melisa Palacios?

Melissa Alejandra Palacios Chacón was born on November 15, 1999. Her family remembers her as a responsible, smiling and humble person.

They also claim that she was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and dreamy friend, in addition to a visionary woman.

For three years, he studied audit at the University Center of the East (Cunori).

His family emphasizes that, with care, dedication and perseverance, he reached the degree of technical audit. His dream was to obtain the bachelor’s degree, but violence did not allow it.

In 2021 the promotion of auditing technicians to which the young woman belonged. Therefore, university authorities and the coordinator of the career gave his family an academic merit diploma In memoriam.

Case chronology

July 4, 2021: Melissa’s disappearance

Melissa Palacios Chacón leaves her home to attend a birthday lunch, but never arrives.

Your family reports it as missing and the Isabel-Claudina alert To locate it.

July 5, 2021: body finding

A group of firewood collectors Find the body of Melissa Palacios.

According to the report of the departmental municipal firefighters, his body had signs of violence and it is presumed that he was stoned in the place.

The experts of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) determined in the necropsy that the young woman died from blows to the head and ruled out sexual assault.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky7e-0pjiwo

July 6, 2021: Keys in research

Family and friends of the victim, during the wake, asked the authorities to clarify the crime.

Prosecutors analyze the circumstances in which Palacios Chacón disappeared and get messages that he sent before disappearing. In these, the young woman mentions that she was with a friend, who punctured a tire on the road and that she did not know what time she would get to the celebration.

August 25, 2021: Capture of the suspects

María Fernanda Bonilla Archila and her bodyguard, José Luis Marroquín Ovalle, They are captured in Antigua Guatemala as the main suspects of the murder of Melissa Palacios.

The Public Ministry informs that the Court of First Instance of Zacapa grants three months to conclude with the investigations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmgrzj4utbq

September 9, 2021: Linked to Process

The judge José Maximino Morales González links to Fernanda Bonilla and José Marroquín by him Melissa Palacios murderand both are linked to the process by murder.

December 8, 2021: Change in the typification of the crime

Judge Morales González excludes key evidence from the judicial file, such as Chats between Bonilla and Moroccan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqtjj24_ujg

Melissa’s family and friends, who were waiting outside the court, react with outrage to hear the judge’s decision to reform the crime. The situation derives in a brawl that requires the intervention of the PNC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3xbmuxto8

January 13, 2022: Change of judge in the case

He Judge Morales González informs that he will no longer remain in charge of the case, arguing that his honorability was damaged by the pronouncements of the victim’s family and its dissemination in the media.

The case is in charge of the judge Sandra Patricia Mejía Esquivel.

January 25, 2022: Transmission from jail

A new accusation arises against Bonilla Archila after the dissemination of a live broadcast that he made from the Zacapa prison. In the video, Bonilla talks about the victim’s judicial process and family, ensuring that he will be free.

The transmission was carried out from the account Bossnanditaba15 and had about 45 spectators.

You can see the complete videos in the following note: Melissa Palacios Case: Linked to crime, it transmits live from jail and this is what the authorities say.

January 31, 2022: Judge Sandra Mejía excuses to know the case

The judge Sandra Patricia Mejía Esquivel excuses the processsince both the victim’s family and the defendant’s defense doubted their impartiality.

The scheduled audience is canceled.

February 2, 2022: The CSJ intervenes in the case

Unanimously, the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) accepts the request to retire against Judge Morales González, who loses his immunity for having modified the crimes of the accused.

February 14, 2022: They denounce privileges in jail

Melissa’s relatives denounce privileges in jail for Bonilla Archila.

They claim that the defendant has access to a vehicle inside the prison, allegedly of her mother, and that she enjoys Benefits as a person in charge of cleaning and kitchen.

April 8, 2022: Judge refuses to requalify the crime

The judge Juan José Regalado Rivasof Chiquimula, rejects the application of Melissa’s mother to requalify the crime as murder.

While the audience, authorities of the Cunori They delivered a posthumous diploma to Melissa’s family and demanded justice.

August 11, 2022: Judge loses immunity

The Plenary of Magistrates of the CSJ withdraws immunity to Judge Morales González.

August 23, 2022: delays in the judicial process

The Public Ministry seeks to process Bonilla archila by Use of prison telecommunications equipmentbut the defendant is not presented alleging health problems.

July 5, 2023: Two years without justice

At two years of his death, Family members ask to accelerate the judicial process.

September 8, 2023: CC protects Judge Morales

The Constitutional Court grants Judge Morales González, leaving the decision to withdraw immunity. And ask the CSJ to deliberate again.

September 22, 2023: Immunity retirement confirmation

Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) unanimously confirmed the withdrawal of the immunity from the Judge “A” Morales Gonzálezthat controls the case of the murder of Palacios Chacón

2024: year of judicial stagnation

During the year, the case remains detained due to various legal resources.

Judge Juan José Regalado Rivas, from Chiquimula, is still in charge of the case.

The MP requests to transfer the case to a court of greater risk in the capital, arguing intimidation and lack of impartiality.

January 14, 2025: Rejection of case transfer

The CSJ Criminal Chamber refuses to transfer the case to a court of greater risk.

The defense of the defendants requests acceptance of charges to close the process and receive a reduction of penalty.

March 12, 2025: a more suspended audience

The intermediate stage audience for Bonilla Archila was scheduled in Zacapa, but it was suspended by a challenge.

Bonilla declares journalists: “My crime is not murder, my crime is homicide in a state of violent emotion”.

March 13, 2025: New key test

He Public Ministry confirms the existence of an audio recorded minutes before the crime. The audio was extracted from a video that leaked in social networks and the investigating entity confirmed that it corresponds to the case.

The victim’s institute announces that he will ask to reverse the decision and restore the accusation for murder. They argue that the messages exchanged between the defendants before the crime constitute sufficient evidence to justify this modification and ensure a sentence according to the severity of the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mce833pvrk

This case still does not resolve, while Melissa Palacios’s family continues in La Luc