GABRIEL CRUZ died of suffocation ‘between one and two hours’ after leaving his grandmother’s house, according to the findings from a forensic report.
The eight-year-old, whose body was found following a 12 day search last month, had eaten at the house in Las Hortichuelas shortly before leaving to play at a neighbour’s.
It was on the walk through the village that police allege he was picked up by his father’s girlfriend Ana Julia Quezada and killed.
The latest forensic study was undertaken by the Institute of Toxicology of Sevilla. The test results have been passed onto Judge Rafael Soriano who is currently overseeing the investigation from the Court of Instruction in Almeria.
The findings reportedly confirm those from an earlier autopsy completed by the Institute of Legal Medicine of Almeria. They suggested Gabriel died the same day that he was reported missing on February 27.
Test results indicated he was killed within the first two hours of leaving his grandmothers which ruled out a long period of being held captive.
Ana Quezada, 43, stands accused of kidnapping and murder. She has been remanded in custody since March 16.
Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said authorities are aiming to complete the investigation as soon as possible.
