The Spanish Military Emergency Unit (UME) and the National Police began searches on Tuesday at a reservoir in Ribadesella, Asturias. The objective is to locate the remains of a mother and daughter who disappeared in 1987, suspected to have been killed by a Portuguese national.
It is believed that the remains of María Trinidad Suardíaz, 25, and her 13-month-old daughter Beatriz may be inside one of the submerged vehicles in the reservoir. The discovery of these vehicles prompted the case’s reopening nearly 40 years after the disappearance.
The woman, from Asturias, was last seen at the Provincial Court of León, where she was to testify in a trial against her husband, António Maria da Silva, known as “the Portuguese.” He had been accused of kidnapping and domestic violence.
María Trinidad Suardíaz’s father unsuccessfully attempted to find his daughter. It was not until 2002, 15 years after her disappearance, that her brother filed a missing person report with the police in Gijón. At the time, authorities concluded she had voluntarily fled with her daughter.
However, in 2015, the Violent Crime Investigation Unit (UDEV) decided to reopen the case due to inconsistencies in the husband’s statements.
In 2016, a search was conducted at the family’s residence in Matadeón de los Oteros, and in 2017, another house in Berbes was investigated.
Despite these efforts, authorities found no evidence of a crime at either location, leading to the case being archived shortly thereafter.
In October, the Instruction Court No. 4 of Gijón issued an order to allocate resources for continued searches following the discovery of two submerged cars. This finding aligns with a neighbor’s statement given years ago, claiming that the husband had thrown the vehicles into a ravine after the woman and child’s disappearance.
Portuguese Suspect Questioned Last Week: “I Do Not Confirm Nor Deny”
Last Thursday, the suspect, now 81, was re-questioned by the National Police. He resides in a care home in Zamora, and authorities hoped for a confession since he would not be jailed due to the statute of limitations on the alleged crimes. However, no confession was obtained.
“I do not confirm nor deny,” he told police, according to reports, speaking in French, the language of the country where he had resided for many years.
A Portuguese man, aged 81, suspected of killing his wife and baby daughter in 1987, was questioned again in connection with the double homicide at the care home where he lives in Spain. António Silva only stated to the authorities: “I do not confirm nor deny.”
Natacha Nunes Costa | 15:21 – 27/11/2025
You can view images of the searches conducted this afternoon in Ribadesella in the gallery above.
