Alfonso Basterra, currently incarcerated for the chilling murder of his daughter, has embarked on a literary venture from behind bars, marking his first foray as an author with the novel titled Cito. Released by Ediciones Vitruvio, the book is dedicated to his daughter, ensuring her memory remains closely tied to his literary pursuits.
Basterra, who resides in the Teixeiro prison near A Coruña, is serving an 18-year sentence for the brutal killing of his daughter, 12-year-old ASUNTA BASTERIA. The crime, which sent shockwaves through Spain back when it occurred, has since been the subject of widespread media coverage, most recently reignited by the Netflix series El Caso ASUNTA.
The case unfolded tragically when, on September 21, 2013, the body of young ASUNTA was discovered abandoned on the outskirts of Teo, leading to swift judicial actions against her adoptive parents, Basterra and his ex-wife, Rosario Porto. Both were found guilty, with decisive evidence implicatively pointing at their culpability. Throughout, Basterra has maintained his innocence, even as forensic analysis indicated fatal doses of lorazepam had been administered to the girl prior to her tragic demise.
Despite the weight of his past, Basterra's novel Cito emerges from the confinement of his cell, described as “a story of love and heartache” set against the backdrop of rural Spain during the 1940s. According to the editorial team at Ediciones Vitruvio, the book navigates through the life of a rural doctor and intertwines magical realism with its narrative. Pablo Méndez, director of the publishing house, has praised the work, noting its “magnificent prose” and its ability to captivate readers through well-crafted and complex characters.
The emotional gravity of the publication is underscored by the dedication of the book: "To ASUNTA. My child, my life, my great love.” This dediction drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including the organization SOS Desaparecidos, which expressed outrage over Basterra’s literary endeavors so soon after the devastating family tragedy. "Indignant. Basterra, father and murderer of ASUNTA, publishes a novel from jail dedicated to the little girl. You open the book, and there it says... it’s unsettling," commented television pundit Ana Rosa.
Basterra's literary aspirations seem to serve as both distraction and catharsis as he navigates the harsh realities of prison life, where he also reportedly works as a librarian. Despite unsuccessful attempts to gain access to less restrictive prison conditions due to lack of remorse and denial of guilt, he persists with his creative outlets. He’s already at work on the second installment of Cito, hoping to allow literature to guide him through his daily struggles.
This moment of Basterra's life is marked not just by the creation of his novel but also by the narrative threads of the notorious case it stems from. The aftermath of ASUNTA's death remains fresh as another Netflix production detailing her tragic story has sparked renewed public interest and debate surrounding parental accountability and justice.
Alfonso's sad tale serves as a painful reminder of societal failings and the impact of crime on community and familial structures. His position as both convicted murderer and author strikes many as troubling, prompting questions about morality, justice, and the purposes of art and storytelling even from the confines of prison walls.
While the entertainment industry engages with the story of ASUNTA, transforming it for wide audiences, the nuanced reality is wrapped in the sorrow of loss and societal responsibility. Exploiting personal histories, especially those laced with trauma, raises dilemmas about ethical practices around storytelling and the glorification of individuals with controversial pasts.
Alfonso Basterra's literary debut will undoubtedly continue to ignite discussions across various platforms, prompting readers both to engage with his work and to grapple with the larger questions of justice and redemption it brings forth.
The case of ASUNTA BASTERIA will likely remain entrenched within the cultural narrative of Spanish society, with individuals and groups continuing to circle back to the lessons – or the lack thereof – learned from this harrowing saga.