Investigators are trying to establish whether the baby was born alive and died afterward, whether the case involved an abortion, and when the death occurred. A relative discovered the remains on 2 November 2026, and preliminary estimates suggest they may have been stored for more than 20 years. The exact timing and cause of death have not been established.
The remains were buried in Allariz’s municipal cemetery after an autopsy and the collection of biological samples. Forensic staff from the Instituto de Medicina Legal de Galicia (Imelga) returned them under judicial custody after completing the examination. DNA samples were also collected to help identify the baby and establish possible biological links.
Preliminary forensic estimates placed the fetus at approximately 32-34 weeks of gestation. Euronews reported that early indications suggested the baby may have breathed, but the examination had not established whether the child was born alive, died during delivery or was involved in a late-term abortion. The tests are intended to clarify the circumstances and approximate timing of death.
A relative found the remains while cleaning a chest freezer that belonged to a woman who has since died. Her family had moved the appliance from her home in Ourense to a storage area in the garage level of a building on Godalla Street in Allariz. The discovery came as the family handled the woman’s belongings.
The Guardia Civil in Ourense opened an investigation, which is being conducted under judicial secrecy. The judge responsible for the Section of Instruction of the Tribunal de Instancia de Ourense ordered the case file sealed. Investigators are following the usual procedure: taking statements from the former owner’s relatives and other people in her circle, along with those who moved the freezer and the person who opened it.
Investigators are also seeking to identify the baby’s parents and determine whether the child had a connection to the former owner. DNA samples collected from people close to her may be checked for genetic matches. The separate Urda rail crash report concerned a different case; the Allariz inquiry centres on identification and possible family links.
