Disappearance of Marcela Basteri (Italy/US)
Reports emerged in March 2026 suggesting that remains believed to be Marcela Basteri's were found in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a DNA test allegedly confirming her identity, according to a friend of Alejandro Basteri. As of March 2026, conflicting claims persist, with journalist Luis Ventura asserting Basteri is alive and residing in Argentina, even providing a specific address. A new testimony in January 2026 also claimed Basteri is alive and in an Argentine psychiatric facility, leading to reports of an authorized DNA test for a potential match. This follows a 2022 declaration of legal death in a Mexico City court and a 2024 denial by justice authorities that she is interned in a psychiatric hospital in Argentina.
Timeline
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March 2026 — 1 developments
Reports from March 2026 suggest that remains believed to be Marcela Basteri's were found in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a DNA test allegedly confirming the identity.
Reports from March 2026 suggest that remains believed to be Marcela Basteri's were found in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a DNA test allegedly confirming the identity. These claims were reportedly shared by a friend of Alejandro Basteri, who stated his brother confirmed the discovery.
February 2026 — 1 developments
Journalist Luis Ventura affirmed Marcela Basteri is alive and resides in Argentina, providing a spec…
Journalist Luis Ventura affirmed Marcela Basteri is alive and resides in Argentina, providing a specific address for her whereabouts and suggesting Luis Miguel has used doubles in his concerts.
January 2026 — 2 developments
A new testimony has emerged claiming to confirm Marcela Basteri is alive and admitted to a psychiatr…
A new testimony has emerged claiming to confirm Marcela Basteri is alive and admitted to a psychiatric facility in Argentina, leading to reports that a DNA test has been authorized for a woman who could potentially be her.
A video report questions Luis Miguel's knowledge of his mother's whereabouts, claiming he was record…
A video report questions Luis Miguel's knowledge of his mother's whereabouts, claiming he was recorded entering a psychiatric hospital in Buenos Aires in December 2024 without security. This raises speculation about whom he visited and what information he may be concealing.
December 2025 — 2 developments
The Argentine judiciary approved an urgent DNA test in October 2023 to compare genetic samples from …
The Argentine judiciary approved an urgent DNA test in October 2023 to compare genetic samples from Marcela Basteri's cousins with a woman believed to be Honorina Montes, who a cousin claims is Marcela. As of early 2025, no results have been released from this test.
Luis Miguel's brother, Alejandro Basteri, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram for his mother Marcela Basteri's birthday on December 10, 2025, expressing how much he misses her.
Luis Miguel's brother, Alejandro Basteri, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram for his mother Marcela Basteri's birthday on December 10, 2025, expressing how much he misses her. This marks a new public action by a family member related to her disappearance.
December 2024 — 1 developments
Justice authorities have denied claims that Marcela Basteri is alive and interned in a psychiatric hospital in Argentina, despite ongoing public speculation.
Justice authorities have denied claims that Marcela Basteri is alive and interned in a psychiatric hospital in Argentina, despite ongoing public speculation.
October 2024 — 1 developments
Alejandro Basteri, Luis Miguel's brother, publicly asked the press to cease speculation regarding his mother Marcela Basteri's death, stating he does not know her whereabouts.
Alejandro Basteri, Luis Miguel's brother, publicly asked the press to cease speculation regarding his mother Marcela Basteri's death, stating he does not know her whereabouts. This statement comes after various publications reported he had confirmed her death.
September 2024 — 1 developments
Marcela Basteri was reportedly declared legally dead in a Mexico City court in 2022, a significant procedural development in her disappearance case.
Marcela Basteri was reportedly declared legally dead in a Mexico City court in 2022, a significant procedural development in her disappearance case. Additionally, Luis Miguel's brother, Alejandro Basteri, publicly denied claims that his mother was in a convent.
March 2024 — 2 developments
A supposed cousin of Luis Miguel, Lorena Della Torre, claimed in March 2024 that she regularly visit…
A supposed cousin of Luis Miguel, Lorena Della Torre, claimed in March 2024 that she regularly visits Marcela Basteri, contradicting theories of her death and suggesting she is alive.
Authorities in Argentina have authorized a DNA test for Honorina Montes, a patient in a Buenos Aires psychiatric hospital, due to her strong resemblance to Marcela Basteri.
Authorities in Argentina have authorized a DNA test for Honorina Montes, a patient in a Buenos Aires psychiatric hospital, due to her strong resemblance to Marcela Basteri.
May 2023 — 1 developments
Luis Miguel posts a rare photo of himself with his mother, Marcela Basteri, on Instagram for Mexican…
Luis Miguel posts a rare photo of himself with his mother, Marcela Basteri, on Instagram for Mexican Mother's Day, an emotional tribute that draws significant media and fan attention to her disappearance.
March 2021 — 2 developments
New details emerged from Marcela Basteri's aunt, Adua, alleging that Luisito Rey wanted Marcela to g…
New details emerged from Marcela Basteri's aunt, Adua, alleging that Luisito Rey wanted Marcela to go to Spain for access to Swiss bank accounts and that an unsent letter containing money was intended for her father.
The Italian program "Chi l'ha visto?
The Italian program "Chi l'ha visto?" revisited Marcela Basteri's case in March 2021, investigating a new lead from a niece regarding a photograph of a homeless woman in Argentina who resembled Basteri.
January 2019 — 1 developments
Alleged family friend and actor, Andres Garcia, claims to be '90 percent almost sure where they killed Marcela,' suggesting Luisito Rey was involved in her murder and burial.
Alleged family friend and actor, Andres Garcia, claims to be '90 percent almost sure where they killed Marcela,' suggesting Luisito Rey was involved in her murder and burial.
July 2018 — 1 developments
Argentina's justice system files the first official missing person report related to Marcela Basteri's case, following a legal complaint from relatives demanding a DNA test.
Argentina's justice system files the first official missing person report related to Marcela Basteri's case, following a legal complaint from relatives demanding a DNA test.
April 2018 — 1 developments
The Netflix series 'Luis Miguel: La Serie' premieres, dramatizing the singer's life, including his r…
The Netflix series 'Luis Miguel: La Serie' premieres, dramatizing the singer's life, including his relentless search for his mother, bringing renewed public attention to Marcela Basteri's disappearance.
January 2004 — 1 developments
Marcela Basteri's aunt, Adua Basteri, publicly states her belief that Marcela was killed by her husband, Luisito Rey.
Marcela Basteri's aunt, Adua Basteri, publicly states her belief that Marcela was killed by her husband, Luisito Rey.
January 2002 — 1 developments
A Mexican court legally declares Marcela Basteri dead, allowing her family to settle her estate and …
A Mexican court legally declares Marcela Basteri dead, allowing her family to settle her estate and her children to inherit her assets, based on her being missing for over 15 years with no evidence of her being alive.
January 1992 — 1 developments
Luisito Rey, Marcela Basteri's estranged husband and Luis Miguel's father, dies in Spain.
Luisito Rey, Marcela Basteri's estranged husband and Luis Miguel's father, dies in Spain. He had often suggested Basteri ran away with a lover, and Luis Miguel reportedly refused to see him on his deathbed.
June 1987 — 1 developments
Nine months after her disappearance, Basteri's sons contact her aunt, trying to locate their mother, indicating she had not returned as promised.
Nine months after her disappearance, Basteri's sons contact her aunt, trying to locate their mother, indicating she had not returned as promised. The aunt's attempts to contact Luisito Rey and his stepmother are unsuccessful.
September 1986 — 1 developments
Approximately twenty to twenty-five days after her last sighting, Basteri calls her aunt, stating she is going to Chile with her son and husband and would return in a month.
Approximately twenty to twenty-five days after her last sighting, Basteri calls her aunt, stating she is going to Chile with her son and husband and would return in a month. This is the last known contact from her.
August 1986 — 1 developments
Marcela Basteri is last seen by her family in Italy as they take her to Pisa airport for a flight to…
Marcela Basteri is last seen by her family in Italy as they take her to Pisa airport for a flight to Madrid, Spain, where she was reportedly going to meet her estranged husband, Luisito Rey, to sign papers related to Luis Miguel's career.
September 1985 — 1 developments
Marcela Basteri is last publicly seen with her son, Luis Miguel, during his concert at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he dedicates a song to her.
Marcela Basteri is last publicly seen with her son, Luis Miguel, during his concert at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he dedicates a song to her.