The Infant Death Investigation

Amaia follows a suspicious infant death from a grieving family’s alarm to evidence of a wider pattern of ritualized killings.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Mark on the Baby

A Mark on the Baby The first alarm In Elizondo, Amaia investigates after the grandmother of Valentín Esparza’s baby questions the official sudden-death explanation. A circular pressure mark on the infant’s forehead turns grief into a homicide inquiry. A confession without clarity The baby’s father tried to remove her body from the funeral home. His words about having “delivered” her suggest a purpose beyond concealment.

The Bear’s Fibers

The Bear’s Fibers Physical evidence Amaia’s team finds the white plush bear whose muzzle fits the pressure mark. Forensic examination links its fibers to the infant’s face and identifies an additional, foul-smelling biological trace. A larger question The evidence establishes how the child was smothered, but not why her father speaks of an offering or why the corpse must not be cremated.

A Father’s Purpose

A Father’s Purpose Beyond the murder Amaia questions Valentín Esparza and hears him say he gave his daughter to Inguma, “like so many others.” His language suggests a repeated practice rather than an isolated crime. An unfinished ritual He insists the body cannot be burned and says he must finish something. The case now points toward people who may want the corpse for reasons beyond family mourning.

The Empty Family Grave

The Empty Family Grave A second disappearance Someone removes the infant’s body from the Esparza family grave. Inés Ballarena’s mother calls the child an offering, while the family’s distress confirms that the burial has not closed the case. A repeated method Earlier inquiries revealed coffins containing sugar or other substitutes. The fresh theft connects Valentín’s words to a recurring practice of disguising missing remains.

A Network of Sacrifices

A Network of Sacrifices The map takes shape Amaia plots suspicious girls’ deaths along the Baztán–Bidasoa River and links families, a midwife, a wealthy lawyers’ firm, and the Argi Beltz Group. The hidden destination At the Tabese family tomb, she finds the stolen infant and remains of many other children. The apparent separate cases prove to be parts of a sustained sacrificial network.

opening investigation

the first day of the inquiry

after the first interrogation

after Esparza’s burial

the final investigation