NETFLIX
Alfonso Basterra’s life and job before being convicted of murder in the Asunta Case
Born in Bilbao, Basterra was a journalist specialized in economics who decided to settle in Galicia where he married Rosario Porto.
The ‘Asunta Case’ has once again come into focus, following the release of the new fictional series by the streaming platform Netflix, which deals with the disappearance of the 12-year-old girl found dead by the side of a road near Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Who is the real Alfonso Basterra?
One of the key figures in the case is Alfonso Basterra, who reported the disappearance of the girl alongside his wife, Rosario Porto, on 21 September 2013. Security cameras had captured Asunta heading to her father’s apartment, then returning to her mother’s moments before her disappearance, as the two were separated.
Just a day later, the lifeless body of the girl was discovered only five kilometres from Rosario’s country house. Eventually, both were sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder of the young girl, after spending two years in pre-trial detention accused of the murder of their adopted daughter. According to the verdict of the investigation, whose investigation was part of ‘Operation Nenúfar’, the parents killed the girl on the above date of the reported disappearance.
Gallery of real people vs characters:
The physical resemblance of the actors and the real people in the ‘The Asunta Case’ on Netflix
Candela Peña - Rosario Porto
The Catalan actress portrays Rosario Porto, Asunta's mother. 'Chelo' was sentenced to 18 years in prison but committed suicide in 2020 at Brieva prison.
Tristán Ulloa - Alfonso Basterra
The father of Asunta has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of his daughter. In 2017, he penned a letter to Ramón Campos, the creator of the fiction, expressing his intention to end his life once his sentence concludes.
Javier Gutiérrez - Juez Vázquez Taín
The role of the judge is one of the most contrasting aspects when comparing the series with reality. Vázquez Taín served as a substitute magistrate in the Angrois train accident case.
Francesc Orella - José Luis Gutiérrez Aranguren
The attorney defended Rosario Porto during the trial sessions. He boasts extensive experience in his field and is one of the most prestigious lawyers in Galicia. In the series, he is portrayed by Orella, famous for bringing Merlí to life in the eponymous fiction.
Alicia Borrachero - Belén Hospido
After Alfonso Basterra's arrest for his involvement in the Asunta murder, Belén Hospido took charge of leading his defense.
Basterra: a journalist specialized in economics
Prior to his arrival in Galicia, the region where he decided to settle with his wife, Alfonso Basterra (born in Bilbao, 1964) was a journalist specialized in economic reporting with experience in various media outlets. Upon arriving in the Galician community, the couple initiated the adoption process for Asunta.
He continued his profession in Galicia, working as a freelance journalist, collaborating with communication agencies and in mainstream media outlets. He even specialized in tourism reporting. It was in Santiago where he met his wife, Rosario Porto, the daughter of Francisco Porto and Rosario Ortega.