'The Asunta Case' on Netflix: How Asunta Basterra's 'killer' mom Rosario cried 'innocent' until the bitter end
MADRID, SPAIN: 'The Asunta Case' has been officially released on Netflix, delving into the true story of the murder of Asunta Yong Fang Basterra Porto, a Chinese-born girl raised in Spain.
Created by Ramón Campos, Jon de la Cuesta, and Gema R. Neira, 'The Asunta Case' aka 'El caso Asunta' stars Tristán Ulloa, Javier Gutiérrez, Candela Peña, Raúl Arévalo, María León, Alicia Borrachero, and Francesc Orella in pivotal roles.
The latest Spanish crime-drama biography, 'The Asunta Case,' delves into the shocking events that unfolded in Spain in 2013. The series explores the circumstances leading up to Asunta's tragic death, the investigation that followed, and the subsequent trial that captivated the nation.
Who was Asunta Yong Fang Basterra Porto?
Asunta, a girl born in China and raised in Spain, was found dead shortly before her 13th birthday in Teo, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, on September 22, 2013.
The incident raised significant questions and speculation about the circumstances of Asunta's death.
Asunta was adopted as a baby by Alfonso Basterra Camporro and Rosario Porto Ortega. Their decision to adopt her marked the beginning of a new chapter in Asunta's life, as she became a part of their family and was raised in Spain.
According to a report by The Guardian, the couple persuaded Spanish authorities that they were ideal parents, emphasizing the loving environment and large extended family their child would have.
They brought the baby girl to Spain, where she started her new life with them. Her new Spanish identity documents reflected her new name, Asunta Fong Yang Basterra Porto.
Asunta excelled academically and was recognized as a very good student. Her intelligence and academic abilities were evident from an early age, and she progressed quickly in her studies, as reported by The Guardian.
In September 2013, Asunta was tragically found dead. An autopsy revealed she had been suffocated and had ingested an excessive amount of Lorazepam pills, far beyond the recommended dose for an adult.
What happened to Rosario Porto Ortega?
Rosario and Alfonso arrived at the main Santiago police station at 10:17 p.m. on September 21, 2013, to report Asunta was missing.
On September 22, 2013, Asunta's dead body was discovered in their family home in Teo in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia.
Rosario emerged as the primary suspect in the case, largely due to inconsistencies in her accounts of her whereabouts on the day of the murder.
As the investigation continued, additional evidence and testimonies increasingly implicated Rosario in the tragic death of her adopted daughter, deepening suspicions about her involvement.
According to a report by El País, Asunta is believed to have been suffocated, with evidence indicating that she was heavily sedated with lorazepam prior to her death.
Lorazepam, a medication commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, was reportedly prescribed to her mother, Rosario, for her own anxiety.
When Rosario was taken by police to the country house where Asunta's body was discovered, she hurried towards a specific room. Inside, they found a wastepaper basket containing scraps of orange baler twine, similar to the twine found near Asunta's body. Investigators concluded that this twine had been used to tie Asunta's limbs together.
Investigators began to develop a theory regarding Asunta's death. They concluded that Asunta's adoptive parents had grown weary of her presence in their lives.
During the trial, it came to light that Asunta's father had acquired a minimum of 175 pills over a span of 10 weeks. Some of these pills were obtained legally, using his wife's prescription, while others were acquired without a prescription. Rosario insisted that she only used the pills occasionally.
The jury learned that Asunta had ingested a minimum of 27 pills at the time of her death. These pills were nine times stronger than the usual adult dosage.
On October 30, 2015, Rosario and Alfonso were convicted of the murder of Asunta and were each sentenced to eighteen years in prison.
When did Rosario Porto Ortega die?
On November 18, 2020, Rosario was found dead by hanging in Brieva penitentiary in Ávila, Spain. She had been serving an 18-year sentence for the murder of her adopted daughter.
According to a report by El País, she had previously tried to end her life on several occasions. On November 12, 2018, she attempted suicide by placing a cord around her neck in the prison cell shower. However, she informed her cellmate of her intentions, which led to prison staff intervening and preventing her from harming herself.
Despite the conviction and the evidence presented in court, she continued to assert that she was not responsible for her adopted daughter's death.
Until her tragic end, Rosario steadfastly maintained her innocence.
How to stream 'The Asunta Case'?
'The Asunta Case' is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Access to the series requires a Netflix membership, available starting from $6.99/month for the standard plan with ads.
The standard plan without ads is priced at $15.49/month, while the Premium plan costs $22.99/month.
'The Asunta Case' trailer