Almost a year after the disappearance of the dentist Julio Amílcar Martínez Murillothe case remains open in courts with five people in preventive detention and a fugitive womanall pointed out by the Public Ministry (MP) to integrate the structure that would have carried out the kidnapping.
According to the tax investigation, on May 28, 2025, Martínez Murillo was intercepted while on his way to his clinic, transferred against his will and used to demand a million-dollar ransom from his family.
After days of negotiation, on June 5, the relatives handed over Q763 thousand to the kidnappers, however, the victim was never released and remains missing to this day.
A planned kidnapping, according to the Prosecutor’s Office
For the MP, it was not an improvised event. The investigation maintains that there was prior monitoring of the victim, coordination between several participants.
As support, the Prosecutor’s Office presented to the judge videos, frames, wiretaps, WhatsApp chats, telephone records and evidence seized in raids.
With these indications, five people were captured between the August 29 and 30, 2025 and subsequently linked to the process by plagiarism or kidnapping. A sixth named has not been arrested.
Who are those identified and what role does the MP attribute to them?
According to the investigation by the Public Ministry, the criminal structure would have acted in a coordinated manner and with specific functions to carry out the kidnapping. Throughout the process, the Prosecutor’s Office presented various evidence that, in its opinion, links the six men, including videos, surveillance, wiretaps, WhatsApp chats, call logs and raids.
Based on these indications, he maintains that each member had a specific role in the case.
1. Julio Leonardo Alejandro Girón Castañeda: alleged ringleader
Giron Castanedais considered by the Prosecutor’s Office as the alleged leader of the group.
According to the file, he knew the victim and would have taken advantage of that proximity to monitor his movements. In fact, during the investigation it was Martínez’s wife who recognized him as a friend of her husband.
The MP maintains that followed the dentist days before the kidnapping to establish schedules, routes and routine.
During raids on his home, computers, police uniforms and other objects were found that are now part of the investigation.
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2. Carlos Antonio González y González: alleged negotiator
The Prosecutor’s Office identifies him as the person who would have maintained contact with the family during the period of May 28, at night, and June 5 in the morning.
According to the case, he was the one who initially called to demand Q5 million and then negotiated a reduction to Q763 thousand.
He is also accused of threatening the dentist’s wife when she asked for proof of life.
On González and González’s cell phone they found evidence that links him directly to the leader of the gang and the coordinator.
3. Juan Ubaldo Tzun Castillo: accused of collecting the money
The MP assures that he participated in the final phase of the kidnapping: the collection of the ransom.
According to the investigation, he was one of the three people who arrived at the delivery point agreed upon by the kidnappers, at a gas station located at the end of Hincapié Avenue.
4. Juan Oswaldo Tzun Hernández: linked to collection
Son of Juan Ubaldo Tzun Castillo.
The Prosecutor’s Office maintains that he was also a member of the group in charge of receiving the money paid by the family. Among the evidence against the group in charge of collecting the money is the jacket that the motorcyclist used, a helmet and a vehicle.
5. Paola Isabel Díaz Ramírez: logistical support
She is the wife of Tzun Hernández.
According to the MP, to collect the money, those involved traveled in two vehicles: a motorcycle and a four-wheeled car. The investigation indicates that she was traveling inside the car.
6. Anelsy Adeli Quiñónez Corado: fugitive and alleged coordinator of the gang
He is the only person pending arrest in this case.
According to the investigation, he maintained direct communication with Carlos Antonio González y González, whom he identifies as his relative. In the WhatsApp messages located on the latter’s phone, the MP maintains that they found that it was she who ordered the demand Q5 million for the release of the victim and that he maintained constant contact with the alleged negotiator.
The Prosecutor’s Office also affirms that conversations about other operational details of the kidnapping appear in the chats extracted from the phones. In addition, photographs of equipment that were later found in the home of the alleged leader of the criminal structure, that is, Girón Castañeda, were located.
This is how Julio Martínez disappeared
He May 28, 2025Julio Martínez left his house in Fraijanes towards a shopping center located at kilometer 21.7 of the route to El Salvador.
After making purchases, you would have been followed by at least three vehicles.
The chase ended at kilometer 36, at the entrance to the village The Jocotillowhere he was allegedly intercepted and deprived of liberty.
Hours later the extortion calls began.
After several days of negotiation, the family managed to raise the sum of Q763 thousandand the June 5, 2025the money was delivered at a service station at the end of Hincapié Avenue.
Although the ransom was paid, Julio Martínez did not return home. After that, the captors stopped communicating.
What comes in the process
The case will continue in hearing on May 8date on which the defenses will present their arguments before the judge.
He Public Ministry presented part of his evidence during the day of the May 4.
After listening to both parties and analyzing the means of conviction, the court must decide whether the five indicated are sent to trial.