24 February 2008
Carlos Navarrete
Knife attack
Navarrete, 53, was found dead in the bathroom of his Guayaquil home on the night of 24 February by his mother.
His hands were tied and he had been stabbed seven times in the neck and thorax. The police said they also found signs of torture on the body. Blood was discovered inside his car, which was found in another part of the city, and the police suspect he was not killed in his home. The neighbours did not see or hear anything suspicious and nothing appears to have been taken from the home.
The police now say they think the murder was an act of revenge. "El Telégrafo", the newspaper which Navarrete had previously edited, was acquired by the government in 1999 when the business empire of its owner, Fernando Aspiazu, collapsed. Navarrete waged a long battle after that on behalf of the newspaper's private shareholders to regain control.
After a court ruled in favour of the state on 7 June 2007, Navarrete had to leave and went to Guayaquil to run "La Calle".
