35 Years for Gruesome Murder: Costa Rica Sentences Two for Dismemberment of Teen

Costa Rican Court Sentences Two Men to 35 Years for Gruesome Murder of 14-Year-Old San José, Costa Rica – In a case that shocked the nation, a Costa Rican court has sentenced two men to 35 years in prison for the brutal murder and dismemberment of 14-year-old Ronny Genaro Vallejos Radni. The teenager disappeared in March 2024, and his remains were discovered weeks later in plastic bags in Puntarenas. Judge Pilar Quesada detailed the horrific crime, stating that the victim was "atrociously murdered" and then dismembered using a type of axe. The remains were then burned and scattered. "The body was dismembered, then broken into pieces, and some parts were detached by tearing," Quesada explained during the trial. Genaro Vallejos, the victim's father, spoke to Primer Impacto, expressing his profound grief and stating, "They gave me three little bags where the bones were, like they came from a butcher shop." He added that the pain he and his family have endured is immense and that he cannot forgive the perpetrators. While the motive remains unclear, police believe the murder is connected to the drug trade prevalent in the Puntarenas province. The case highlights the ongoing challenges Costa Rica faces in combating organized crime and drug-related violence. The lengthy sentences offer a measure of justice for the victim's family and a stern warning to others involved in such heinous crimes.