'The Search': Paulette's mother was quickly targeted by probing authorities, but was she really guilty?
Spoilers for Netflix's 'The Search' aka 'La Busqueda'
In the latest instalment of Netflix's crime anthology series 'Historia De Un Crimen', 'The Search' explores the investigation of the disappearance of Paulette Gebara Farah that shook Mexico in 2010. The dramatized series documents the corruption, inadequacies and discrepancies in the investigation leading up to the discovery of the body of the young girl.
Early on in the investigation, Attorney General Alberto Bazbaz (Dario Yazbek) decides that the mother Lizette Farah (Verónica Bravo) is at fault. They don't look at her as a suspect but the sole perpetrator of the crime and, over the course of the investigation, even employ various of their resources in proving just that, gathering information by threat and pressure eventually manipulating it against Lizette. His health case specialist made public statements at press conferences that she had personality disorders and given that she did not shed a tear after the disappearance, was capable of anything.
What's interesting, however, and what Alberto realizes much later, is that he is manipulated to take on that line of investigation. By the time he comes to the realization, there is no escape from the situation.
If there is one thing that the Netflix series does with commendable ease is putting on display the mismanagement of the authorities involved in the investigation of the missing four-year-old. Had Attorney General Alberto Bazbaz chosen to change the course of their line of the investigation early on instead of fully focusing on proving Lizette's role in the disappearance, perhaps they would have made better discoveries.
In fact, even when Paulette's body was not discovered, all resources were utilized in finding who is guilty rather than finding the girl alive.
What did work against Lizette was her best friend Amanda (Diana Bovio) giving statements against her. At first, this happens under coercion. But soon enough, seeing that this is a very good opportunity for fame, she too indirectly puts the blame on Lizette. Despite being fully aware, she chooses to change the narrative with multiple interviews and then writes a book about "the truth".
Along with the authorities, the media jumps on the Lizette bandwagon too blaming her, maligning her and even going to the extent of almost incriminating her on screen. The smallest of her actions and words are scrutinized by television news channels that don't get enough of the sensational case.
After the funeral, Lizette was not allowed to see her older daughter Chez (named Lizette in real life), who had stayed with her father's family. But The Attorney General of the Federal District would soon grant her the custody. Shortly afterwards, Alberto resigned from his position.
'The Search' aka 'La Busqueda' is currently streaming on Netflix.