Jubany case: the DNA of the last investigated person does not match Helena's sweater

BarcelonaThe DNA of Ana Echaguibel, the last person investigated for the 2001 murder of Helena Jubany in Sabadell, was not found on the sweater the victim was wearing on the day of her death, according to a statement released by the Jubany family. Echaguibel was previously investigated for this crime in 2003, but the case against her was eventually dismissed. Just two months ago, the judge decided to reopen the investigation, specifically to collect DNA samples from her and compare them with those found on the sweater. The analysis concluded that the suspect's genetic profile "is neither a match nor compatible with the profiles obtained." in the jersey that Jubany was wearingthe day she was pushed from the rooftop of a building in Sabadell.

"Helena's family felt it was necessary to carry out this DNA test to resolve any doubts, and we appreciate the resources dedicated to it, as well as the professionalism of the inspector and the biologist who performed the analyses," the Jubany family stated. Now, they say, the next step is the statement of Santi Laiglesia, which was initially postponed and is scheduled for November 28. Laiglesia has always been the family's main suspect, and his DNA does appear on Jubany's sweater. However, the DNA of the second suspect, Xavi Jiménez, was not found. The Jubany family's lawyers believe that with this evidence, they could now proceed to a trial, which has never taken place.

Negative results

On the sweater, agents also found the genetic profiles of two women, which were not detected in the initial investigation. First, the judge in Sabadell presiding over the case asked the police to search for DNA samples from Montse Careta, the fourth person investigated for the murder. Careta committed suicide in 2002 in Wad-Ras prison, but samples from her body were preserved. However, the National Police report ruled out the presence of her DNA on the sweater. This brought Echaguibel back into the spotlight, and the Prosecutor's Office requested that she be listed as a suspect again and that DNA samples be taken from her. But these ultimately came back negative.

The Jubany family has always considered Laiglesia—who was Montse Careta's partner—to be the prime suspect in the murder. She lived in the apartment building from which someone threw the victim to her death, and Laiglesia spent many nights with her. The three were part of the same group within the Sabadell Hiking Club, which also included the second suspect, Xavi Jiménez – author of some of the anonymous letters the girl received before her death – and Echaguibel.