Wendy WilliamsEXCLUSIVE: By Wendy Williams
FINGERPRINTS on a padlock could be the key to the brutal murder of Arriate teenager María Esther Jiménez Villegas.
Local sources have told the Olive Press that police have found fingerprints on a lock used to seal the pool pump house where her battered body was found.
Ana Eloy Salazar Marin, 59, believes the killer was both local and “not very intelligent”.
The mother-of-two, who was often visited by the girl, said: “The fact that police have found fingerprints on the padlock suggests the killer was not very intelligent as they would have worn gloves.”
She continued: “I am pretty sure he is local to know this particular spot.
“He must have taken advantage of her innocence and lured her there deliberately; she was always very trusting but not a 100 per cent.”
Meanwhile, Hilario López Luna, the deputy of the government in Malaga, has revealed that police are not ruling out any theory as to why the teenager was murdered but they are hopeful they will catch them soon.
He added: “There is evidence at the scene that may clarify who did this: one or various people.”
The girls body was discovered in the pump house of a swimming pool at 7:15 last night by a fireman, in the area known as La curva de Arriate.
Sources close to the investigation have revealed it was a violent death with the face of the teenager barely recognisable.
She had been reported missing on Wednesday night by her mother, and friends had been helping in the search.
And the Olive Press, which has its main office in the village, can reveal that Esther was last seen with a friend in a four wheel drive vehicle close to the Arriate rubbish tip.
She was wearing a stripped grey t-shirt, jeans, and black shoes with pink laces.
Local sources revealed that the teenager, who often went out alone, was “incredibly friendly”.
Friends of the victim, Ana Belen Aguilar Lopez, 15, and Carmen Peralta, 23, said: “We still can’t believe it has happened. It doesn’t seem real.
“She was a really lovely person. Very trusting.”
They also revealed the victim frequently hung around the bus stop with people much older than her.
She had a younger sister and the family had lived in the village for five years.
Today all schools in the village are closed and the Town Hall has organised a gathering this evening to pay tribute to the young girl and show their support for the family.
It is expected, three days of official mourning will take place for the teenager.
I knew Maria Esther infact I sat next to her at school she was kind and she was the only person who was friendly on my first day. I am really really sad.