Public prosecutor's office has "strong" evidence of woman's participation in murder of economist

SANTIAGO.- Prosecutor Carlos Gajardo who, along with Vinko Fodich, is investigating the murder of young economist Diego Schmidt-Hebbel, stated today that the Public Ministry has "strong evidence" implicating the participation of the aunt of the deceased’s girlfriend in the murder.

"We confirm that the woman has been taken into custody in accordance with an arrest warrant that was issued yesterday by the Eighth Penalty Court at the request of the Public Ministry given the strong evidence we have indicating the individual’s participation as an indirect contributor to the murder of Diego Schmidt-Hebbel on November 4th", stated the prosecutor.

Gajardo added that the evidence against María del Pilar Pérez "will be revealed when the charges are formalized against the defendant", who is currently being cared for at Hospital del Salvador after she overdosed on pills just before being arrested.

Hospital representatives have indicated that the overdose almost killed the woman and claimed that she may have died if the arrest warrant had not been issued.