The case of Debanhi Escobar has stirred significant outrage both within Mexico and beyond. Now, nearly three years after her tragic disappearance, her story is the subject of the documentary series #Todas. Debanhi, una historia de redes, which was released on March 6, 2025. The documentary aims to shed light on the wider issue of gender violence and the alarming rate of feminicides occurring in Mexico, focusing particularly on three cases: Debanhi Escobar, Yolanda Martínez, and María Fernanda Contreras.
Debanhi Escobar's ordeal began on the night of April 8, 2022, when she attended a party with friends. By early morning on April 9, she had disappeared near the Nueva Castilla motel along the Laredo highway, and her family quickly took to social media to share her missing person report. The urgency of the situation led the Local Search Commission to offer a reward of 100,000 pesos for credible information on her whereabouts on April 15, 2022. Sadly, the search ended with the devastating discovery of her body inside a cistern at the motel on April 21, 2022.
Set against this backdrop of tragedy and unanswered questions, the documentary #Todas serves as both a narrative of Debanhi’s story and as a broader critique of systemic failures within law enforcement and society. The series, produced by Televisa through N+ Docs, consists of three episodes, each lasting just over one hour. The aim is to invoke both outrage and awareness on account of the disturbing rise of gender-based violence.
The first episode, which aired on March 4, 2025, on the Las Estrellas channel, dives deep not just solely on Debanhi's case but also includes references to the narratives of Yolanda Martínez and María Fernanda Contreras—other women who fell victim to similar tragic circumstances throughout 2022. This connection highlights the pervasiveness of violence against women and the struggles they face.
With the documentary, audiences are taken back to the events leading up to April 9, 2022. It shows Debanhi exiting a transport vehicle, after which she became untraceable. That moment is captured by the last known image of her alive, which has since circulated widely on social media. The episode recalls the fevered search efforts of her family and community members, who rallied to find Debanhi, often leading the charge when local authorities fell short.
Credible accounts reveal unsettling elements surrounding the investigation. Despite authorities searching the motel multiple times, it was only due to complaints about foul odors from the cistern area on April 21, 2022, which led to the eventual location of Debanhi's body. The attorney general at the time, Gustavo Adolfo Guerrero, announced repository efforts, which reflected deep dissatisfaction among the public for the perceived mismanagement of the investigation. Many recall this being part of a growing crisis of disappearances and feminicides across Mexico, underscoring the need for systemic change.
The documentary also includes emotional testimonials from individuals such as Yolanda’s father, Gerardo Martínez, who spoke of the inadequate official response they received during their search for his daughter. Similarly, the narrative involved testimonies from friends and activists, highlighting the collective desperation and outcry from families affected by the pervasive violence faced by women.
Fátima Miranda, a student activist, recounts the mounting tension during protests aimed at advocating for women's safety. Such protests often escalated to violence, including the deeply symbolic torching of the main entrance to the Nuevo León government palace. This sparked conversations about the intersectionality between the state's neglect of gender violence and the need for public accountability.
The first episode, titled La Ola, paints a comprehensive picture of the chaos, fear, and perseverance surrounding the cases of Debanhi, Yolanda, and María Fernanda. It showcases not only the dire stakes of the narrative but also the courageous and heart-wrenching experiences of those who seek justice. Debanhi’s case, now representative of countless other victims and their families, drives the narrative of the documentary, evoking empathy and frustration. The events surrounding her disappearance have galvanized protests, speaking to the citizens’ desire for change.
Given the public's growing frustration over the prolific rates of violence against women, the documentary aims to expose the ingrained patterns of indifference often displayed by authorities. This is poignantly illustrated through the candid statements of Debanhi's family, who have continuously pointed out the failures of law enforcement, claiming they did not adequately investigate her disappearance and broadly criticizing the overall justice system.
Notably, the documentary not only tackles the sensational aspects of such tragedies but also explores the role of social media. This facet has been critically significant as families of the victims have utilized these platforms to demand justice for their loved ones. The hashtag movements, online campaigns, and viral posts around their disappearances have compelled more extensive action from authorities through public pressure.
Viewers interested in delving more deeply can access the series through the ViX platform from March 6, 2025. For those who wish to watch only the first episode, it is available for free, but the subsequent episodes are locked behind a paywall. ViX subscription rates include 99 pesos for the first six months, after which it rises to 119 pesos, or annual plans of 599 pesos — making it accessible yet still necessitating commitment from viewers.
Documentaries like #Todas are imperative not only for remembrance but also as calls to action for societal transformation. They resonate outside mere entertainment, providing documentation and urging necessary dialogues surrounding gender violence. With little justice served after the several episodes, it’s evident the scars left by cases like Debanhi’s are more than tragic tales; they serve as reminders to the collective—pushing society to confront uncomfortable realities and strive for genuine change.