An in-depth investigation of one of the most high-profile true crime cases in contemporary Mexico: the Cumbres Case. Renowned essayist and writer Javier Munguía analyzes this disturbing event in all its complexity, addressing everything from the brutality of the facts to how the morbid media attention transformed a terrible multiple murder into a sensationalist spectacle filled with speculation.
The Cumbres Case, which took place in 2006 in Monterrey, Mexico, shocked Mexican society due to the horrific events that occurred.
On the night of March 2, 2006, Diego Santoy Riveroll entered the house of his ex-girlfriend Erika Peña, located in the exclusive neighborhood of “Cumbres de Monterrey”. Erika came from a wealthy family, and her mother, Teresa Coss, was a well-known astrologer and television personality. Once inside the house, Santoy murdered little Erik Peña, 7 years old, with a knife, and strangled María Fernanda, 3 years old. He also assaulted the housekeeper, Catalina Bautista, leaving her tied up in the bathroom.
He then went to Erika’s room to confront her for leaving him, attacking her with a hammer and a knife, but she managed to survive. Before fleeing, Diego took Catalina hostage and left her in the city center. Santoy and his brother were caught attempting to flee to Guatemala.
Santoy admitted to the events, but his story changed shortly after his arrest, accusing Erika of being the real murderer due to the deep hatred she felt toward her siblings. His version gained credibility, and the case exploded in the media, with speculation that the Coss family used their influence to portray Santoy as a cruel killer, although the relationship between him and Erika was characterized by violence and toxicity.
Santoy was found guilty of the murders and sentenced to 138 years in prison. However, his multiple statements and the sensationalism surrounding the case complicated it, leaving many unanswered questions about what really happened.
Furthermore, media coverage of the case led to a media war, where some TV networks supported the family’s version while others raised doubts, competing fiercely for the best ratings.
Today, the author proposes to reexamine the facts and confront a disturbing scenario: a society that turns its back on the victims and becomes one of their executioners.
RELEVANT INFORMATION: The author, Javier Munguía, is a Mexican writer and essayist who has won the Sonora Book Competition in the short story category and has received funding from the Sonora State Fund for Culture and the Arts on two occasions.
The story of El caso Cumbres is based on extensive research that presents all versions of the case that shook Monterrey. The case recently went viral on TikTok when one of Santoy’s former cellmates shared in a podcast that the version Diego gave to the judge was true and that his relationship with Erika was violent.
AUDIOVISUAL POTENTIAL: Docuseries, Documentary, TV Series, Miniseries, Film, TV Film.
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Spanish.
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