The Sinister True Story Behind Netflix’s The Asunta Case

Despite the release of numerous hits such as What Jennifer Did and Unlocked: A Jail Experiment this month, Netflix remains the top streaming service in the true crime genre.

The Asunta Case has gained a lot of attention, quickly rising to second place on the Netflix US Top 10 chart. This series is based on true events, focusing on a shocking murder that took place in Spain during the 2010s.

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The Asunta Case: Understanding the True Story

The Netflix series, The Asunta Case, is a depiction of the real-life events surrounding Asunta Yong Fang’s tragic death in 2013. At the age of 12, Asunta was adopted and later found to have died from asphyxiation. Following a court ruling, her adoptive parents, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra, were convicted for the crime, as it was revealed that they had been administering Lorazepam to their daughter in the months leading up to her death.

The case gained widespread attention due to a variety of factors, making it one of the most significant criminal trials in Spain. It all began in 2001 when Rosario and Alfonso traveled to Yongzhou, China, with the intention of adopting their nine-month-old daughter, Asunta. She was the first Chinese child to be adopted in the city of Santiago, Spain.

Tweet about Asunta case family — X/@GabineteForte

Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra adopted Yong Fang’s affair in

The high-profile nature of the case can also be attributed to the affluent backgrounds and societal standing of the parents. Rosario came from a notable family in Galicia and pursued a career in law, following in her father’s footsteps. Alfonso, on the other hand, worked as a journalist.

In the city, they led a luxurious lifestyle and tied the knot in 1996. Due to Rosario’s autoimmune illness, pregnancy was not recommended, prompting the couple to opt for adoption. As a result, Asunta was raised and grew up to be a gifted young girl. She excelled in academics, skipping a grade and mastering multiple languages. In her leisure, she honed her skills in ballet, piano, and violin.

Despite the peacefulness of the Santiago community, the morning of September 22, 2013 brought a disturbing discovery. The lifeless body of Asunta was found in a nearby wooded area, bound with orange twine, near her family’s country house. This shocking incident quickly prompted a thorough investigation to uncover the truth of her death, causing a ripple of shock throughout the city.

On September 24, Rosario was arrested and under investigation for the disappearance of Asunta, with her adoptive parents presenting themselves as concerned. The night before, they had reported Asunta missing. The detectives first became suspicious of the mother’s behavior and decided to search the country house, which was a potential crime scene. When officers accompanied her to the bathroom, she was caught trying to retrieve the orange twine that had been used to tie Asunta’s limbs, which was found in a wastepaper basket. Alfonso was also arrested the following day.

Despite efforts, forensics were unable to confirm whether this was the exact twine used on Asunta. However, this was just one small part of a larger, intricate puzzle. In addition, detectives were able to gather CCTV footage that showed Rosario driving to the country house with a long-haired girl by her side. This footage was captured during a time when Rosario had previously stated that her daughter was at home.

Moreover, the coroner’s investigation revealed that Asunta had been administered a minimum of 27 Lorazepam pills on the day of her passing. Hair strand tests also indicated that she had been regularly given the medication in the three months preceding her death. Lorazepam is a type of benzodiazepine known for its sedative effects and is the primary active ingredient in Orfidal, which Rosario had been prescribed for her anxiety. In court, it was disclosed that Alfonso had acquired a total of 175 Orfidal pills within a span of 10 weeks.

CANDELA PEñA as ROSARIO in The Asunta Case — Netflix

It was determined that Asunta’s parents had been drugging her

According to the testimony of Asunta’s teachers, she seemed lethargic in the weeks before her death. One witness even recalled her saying, “My mother is attempting to harm me.”Despite the parents’ insistence on their innocence, the prosecution argued that Rosario and Alfonso had become fed up with taking care of Asunta and began giving her drugs before carrying out her murder. It is believed that Rosario, who was dealing with depression and the loss of her own parents, was the one who devised the sinister plan.

The theory was influenced by numerous other factors, such as the couple’s divorce that took place in January 2013. Alfonso had discovered Rosario’s infidelity, leading to a highly publicized trial that resulted in both of them being found guilty of Asunta’s murder. In 2015, they were both sentenced to 18 years in prison.

In 2016, the verdict was revised, stating that there was not enough evidence to prove that Alfonso was in the car with the mother. As a result, the mother was found guilty of the asphyxiation, but Alfonso’s sentence remained the same due to his involvement in planning and facilitating the murder.

Where are Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra now?

Despite appealing to have their sentences overturned, both Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra were denied. In November 2020, Rosario died by suicide in her prison cell after multiple attempts. Alfonso is currently serving his sentence at the Teixeiro prison in Spain.

As per the regulations of the country’s prison system, Alfonso is expected to qualify for an “open regime”in 2025, having completed two-thirds of his sentence. This implies that he will have increased liberty and benefits while still being confined for the entire 18 years.

According to El Correo, in 2017 Alfonso Basterra wrote a letter to the producers of a documentary on the Asunta case, stating that upon his release he intended to disappear and never be heard from again, not even by Rosario Porto. He expressed his desire to be a free man again and reunite with his daughter, and had already considered the details of how and where this would happen, although he was unsure of the timing.

Who’s in the cast of Netflix’s The Asunta Case?

In The Asunta Case, a six-episode Netflix drama based on the case, Rosario Porto is portrayed by Candela Peaa. Alfonso Basterra is played by Tristan Ulloa, and Asunta Fong Yang Basterra Porto is played by Iris Wu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w4Ilcm5oEg

Additional actors featured are:

Javier Gutierrez as Judge Malvar
Maria Leon as Agent Cristina Cruces
Carlos Blanco as Agent Javier Ríos
Francesc Orella as Juan Jose Dominguez
Raul Arevalo as Rodrigo Maneiro

Candela’s most notable works include Hierro, Take My Eyes, and All About My Mother, while Tristan has made appearances in Berlin, Warrior Nun, and the Snatch TV series.

Currently available for streaming on Netflix is The Asunta Case. If you’re interested in more true crime content, be sure to catch the latest documentaries being released this month. Additionally, you can discover new TV shows to add to your watchlist and movies to watch here.