Whenever you finish a Netflix series based on a real crime, we all have the same question.
Was that real, or did they make it all up?
In the heart-breaking case of The Asunta Case, the number two show on Netflix right now, it is unfortunately almost all true.
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The Netflix show is based on the horrifying real-life murder of a 12-year-old – with an absolutely shocking true story behind it.
Check out the trailer for the show here:
What happened to Astuna Fong Yang
The Asunta Case dramatizes the murder of 12-year-old Asunta Fong Yang, with her adopted parents Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra standing accused of her murder.
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The pair had adopted Asunta as a baby, travelling over to China before bringing her back to Spain.
The parents reported their daughter missing, with her body being discovered on the side of the road soon after in September of 2013.
According to police records, Astuna had been at her mother's apartment until 7pm doing her homework, while Porto headed to the family's country house.
Upon her return at 9:30pm, the girl had vanished.
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Whilst the pair had divorced in early 2013, both were arrested for the murder of their child – with Porto being arrested at Asunta’s funeral and Basterra being arrested just a day later.
Porto's arrest came about after police found CCTV footage of her driving with a 'long-haired girl' which was believed to be Astuna - with the timecode being when she was supposedly at home.
And Basterra was arrested after a judge concluded that Porto couldn't have carried out the murder alone.
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With the story making headlines in Spain, the pair were taken to a trial after pleading not guilty, however, were both found guilty and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
A large part of this is the fact that a high quantity of toxic drug lorazepam in the 12-year-old’s system – a drug that Porto was taking for anxiety.
As well as this, Basterra purchased 170 of the pills in just 10 weeks.
According to an interview with The Guardian, Asunta told her violin teacher: “I took some white powders”.
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“I don’t know what they are giving me. No one tells me the truth.”
Where are Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra now
Both Porto and Basterra had previously attempted to overturn their convictions.
Whilst Basterra remains in prison and will continue to until 2031 – Porto died via suicide in 2020.
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She died after multiple failed suicide attempts, and maintained her innocence until her death.
In large part due to the shocking true story behind it – the Netflix show has shot to the top of the streamer’s charts, currently sitting behind only Baby Reindeer as the second ranked show.
The six-part drama series was posted to Facebook group Netflix Bangers, with a fan saying: “Y’all I ran out of things to watch and thought I’d give this a try…. When I tell you it’s good… I mean it is good. Keeps you on your toes! Based on true events.”
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While another said on X that it was 'unsettling', and had been 'gave them nightmares'.
“It's the way there was no clear closure of the case since both of defendants choose to sealed their mouth till the end, making whatever I read or hear or watch into a mere conspiracy theory.” they added.
The Astuna Case is now available to stream on Netflix.
Topics: True crime, Netflix, Drugs, Film and TV
Michael Slavin