Podcast Summary

Podcast: Más de Uno
Host: Onda Cero
Episode: Helena Jubany, 24 años de espera para hacer justicia
Date: February 2, 2026
Section: Territorio Negro con Luis Rendueles y Manu Marlasca

Overview

This episode of "Más de Uno" delves deep into the Helena Jubany case—a haunting, unsolved murder that has perplexed investigators and the public for over 24 years. The hosts and guests dissect the crime, the major suspects, key pieces of evidence, and the latest developments which have led to new suspects and lingering doubts. The tone throughout is that of seasoned crime journalists: meticulous, skeptical, and deeply engaged with both the human and investigative sides of the story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of Helena Jubany’s Body

• [00:51] The story opens on December 2, 2001, when neighbors at Calle Calvet d'Estrella 48, Sabadell, hear a loud thud. A woman's naked body is found in the building’s inner courtyard, face disfigured beyond recognition.
• [01:20] Hours later, Helena’s father reports her missing, and police identify the body by matching the distinct flower-patterned pants in a photo he provides to clothing found neatly folded on a neighboring terrace.

2. Initial Theories and Forensic Challenges

• [02:20] Police initially consider suicide. This is quickly ruled out after toxicology reports show Helena was drugged with benzodiazepines at a dose 30 times the prescription amount—far too impaired to climb to the terrace herself.
  • Quote: "Nunca podría haber subido a esa terraza por su propio pie con todas las benzodiacepinas que tenía en el cuerpo." – A, [02:45]

3. Suspicious Anonymous Messages and the Excursionist Group

• [03:01] Attention focuses on a neighbor, Montse Careta (third floor), and strange anonymous notes and drinks Helena received.
  • Helena and Montse are part of the same hiking club, "Unió Excursionista de Sabadell".
  • [03:36] Describes gifts left at Helena’s door—first horchata and pastries, then peach juice, both with playful but strange notes.

4. Early Signs of Foul Play

• [04:31] After drinking the gifted peach juice at work, Helena fell severely ill and lost memory of the evening. Her sister had the leftover analyzed; it tested positive for benzodiazepines—the same drug that would later be found in her body.
  • Quote: "No recordaba absolutamente nada de la tarde anterior." – A, [04:31]
  • Quote: "La muestra dio positivo a benzodiacepinas." – A, [04:31]

5. Focus on Montse Careta

• [05:10] Evidence piles up against Montse:
  • Helena’s car parked near Montse’s house.
  • Phone calls between them the night before the murder.
  • Montse’s conflicting excuses for missing work.
• [05:36] Inconsistent alibis from Montse and her boyfriend, Santi La Iglesia. Forensic handwriting analysis ties Montse to the anonymous notes.

6. Montse’s Arrest and Suicide

• [06:08] Police find evidence in Montse’s apartment (matching matches, tranquilizers). She is arrested, but commits suicide in jail 4 months later, leaving notes insisting on her innocence:
  • Quote: “Soy inocente porque no he causado la muerte de Elena y para ser homicida hay que ser ejecutor de una muerte.” – Montse’s prison note, [06:40]
• The case stalls after her death; debate continues over her physical ability to commit the crime alone.

7. Questions About Santi La Iglesia

• [06:53] Montse's family suspects Santi:
  • He possessed a key to her apartment.
  • His mother used the same tranquilizer brand—Noctamid—found in Helena.
  • Forensic reports doubt Montse could have carried Helena’s unconscious body up 17 steps.

8. Case Goes Cold, Then Reopens

• [07:37] In 2005, the case is archived. Media pressure (especially a 2020 TV3 feature) and new testimony reopen it.
• A retired police officer directly points the finger at Santi La Iglesia on television.

9. New Evidence: Another Suspect and Fresh DNA

• [08:08] In 2021, Helena's family commissions new forensic examination of emails and computer files:
  • Emails link Xavi Jiménez, another hiking group member and Helena’s suitor, to message patterns found in prior anonymous notes.
  • New handwriting analysis highlights Xavi as a potential author.
• [08:37] Latest DNA techniques find Santi La Iglesia’s genetic material on Helena’s clothing, contradicting his claimed lack of contact.

10. Recent Developments: Detainment and Legal Limbo

• [09:08] Santi La Iglesia is finally jailed in November 2025, 24 years after the murder, due to risk he might flee.
  • Quote: “Lo cierto es que 45 días después, la Audiencia de Barcelona revocó esa decisión. Y ahora Santiago La Iglesia está en libertad, aunque con medidas cautelares…” – A, [09:08]
• Santi is promptly released on bail, remains under court watch, and must show up monthly—while the case again teeters on the verge of expiring legally.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Era un cadáver de una mujer desnuda. No habéis dicho cómo es posible que reconocieran los pantalones." – D, [01:47]
• “Nunca podría haber subido a esa terraza por su propio pie con todas las benzodiacepinas que tenía en el cuerpo.” – A, [02:45]
• “No recordaba absolutamente nada de la tarde anterior.” – A, [04:31]
• “La muestra dio positivo a benzodiacepinas.” – A, [04:31]
• "Soy inocente porque no he causado la muerte de Elena y para ser homicida hay que ser ejecutor de una muerte." – Nota de Montse Careta, [06:40]
• “Así que el caso se queda en vía muerta. La nota tampoco es precisamente una disculpación.” – B, [06:48]
• “Casi prescribe.” – D, [09:38]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:51] — Discovery of Helena’s body
• [01:20] — Identification & first clues
• [02:20] — Forensic findings on drugs
• [03:36] — Anonymous gifts and poisoning attempt
• [04:31] — Confirmation of benzodiazepine poisoning
• [05:36] — Focus shifts to Montse and Santi
• [06:08] — Montse’s arrest and suicide
• [07:37] — Case closed, media reopens investigation
• [08:37] — New suspects, DNA evidence
• [09:08] — New arrest, case remains unresolved

Tone and Closing Reflection

With a mix of somber reflection and investigative frustration, the episode underscores the agony of a 24-year pursuit of justice that remains incomplete. Despite numerous reexaminations, modern forensic techniques, and shifting suspects, the identity of the person (or persons) responsible for Helena Jubany’s death—and the motives behind it—remain shrouded in mystery.

"Que no se acaba de cerrar." – A, [09:41]

For listeners:
This episode is a meticulous, step-by-step account of one of Spain’s most enigmatic murder cases, providing both new information and the lingering sense of justice deferred. The discussion offers both the cold facts of forensic science and the unsettling ambiguities that continue to haunt all involved.