Daniel Zamudio, a gay Chilean man, was beaten and tortured for hours in a Santiago park in March 2012 by four men linked to a neo-Nazi gang; he died of his injuries 25 days later, prompting Chile to pass a long-stalled anti-discrimination law.
Daniel Zamudio — Credit: Self-made by subject, or taken by family or friend · Copyrighted — editorial use, owner-approved 2026-07-11
Daniel Mauricio Zamudio Vera (3 August 1987 – 27 March 2012) was a Chilean man whose killing became a national symbol against homophobic violence in Chile. Zamudio, who identified as gay, was attacked in San Borja Park in downtown Santiago on 2 March 2012 by four men linked to a neo-Nazi gang. According to accounts from his family, he had previously experienced violence connected to his sexual orientation.
During the attack, Zamudio was beaten for approximately six hours until he lost consciousness. He was taken to the Hospital Emergency Public Assistance in Santiago, where doctors documented a traumatic brain injury, a broken leg, and cuts to his stomach resembling swastikas, apparently made with broken bottles. Cigarette burns were also found on multiple parts of his body. Zamudio remained hospitalized and died from his injuries 25 days later, on 27 March 2012, at the same hospital.
The case drew significant national and international attention. Following his death, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera called on parliament to accelerate passage of a hate crimes law that had been stalled for more than seven years. The proposed legislation sought to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, appearance, or disability. The bill faced opposition from several churches, which argued it could pave the way toward legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Despite this opposition, the law was passed in July 2012 and signed by the President, entering into force shortly after.
A trial followed in which four men — Patricio Ahumada Garay, Alejandro Angulo Tapia, Raúl López Fuentes, and Fabian Mora Mora — were prosecuted for Zamudio's killing. On 17 October 2013, Judge Juan Carlos Urrutia found all four guilty of first-degree murder, describing the crime as one of "extreme cruelty" and "total disrespect for human life." On 28 October 2013, sentencing was handed down: Ahumada received a life sentence, met with cheers in the courtroom; Angulo and López were each sentenced to 15 years; and Mora, the youngest defendant, received 7 years, a lighter sentence attributed to his cooperation with investigators and lack of prior convictions.
The case has since been referenced in discussions of LGBT rights in Chile and the presence of neo-Nazi groups in the country, and has been the subject of several film and television treatments, including "Zamudio: Lost at Night" (2015), "Jesús" (2016), and "You'll Never Be Alone" (2016).
Zamudio is attacked and beaten for approximately six hours in San Borja Park, Santiago, by four men linked to a neo-Nazi gang.
2012-03-27
Zamudio dies of his injuries at Hospital Emergency Public Assistance in Santiago, 25 days after the attack.
2012-07
Chile's hate crimes/anti-discrimination law, stalled for over seven years, is passed and signed by President Sebastián Piñera.
2013-10-17
All four defendants are found guilty of first-degree murder by Judge Juan Carlos Urrutia.
2013-10-28
Sentencing: Patricio Ahumada Garay receives life imprisonment; Alejandro Angulo Tapia and Raúl López Fuentes each receive 15 years; Fabian Mora Mora receives 7 years.
Best coverage
Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
VIDEO
Creator
Man jailed for life over death of gay man whose body was carved with swastikas
People
Alejandro Angulo Tapia
CONVICTED
Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
Fabian Mora Mora
CONVICTED
Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to 7 years imprisonment due to cooperation with investigators and lack of prior convictions.
Patricio Ahumada Garay
CONVICTED
Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to life imprisonment on 28 October 2013.
Raúl López Fuentes
CONVICTED
Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
Juan Carlos Urrutia
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Judge who declared the four defendants guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013.
Daniel Zamudio
VICTIM
Chilean man beaten and fatally injured in a homophobic attack in Santiago in March 2012.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Archival records
portrait victim
Daniel Zamudio
Credit: Self-made by subject, or taken by family or friend · Copyrighted — editorial use, owner-approved 2026-07-11 · Source
Daniel Zamudio, a gay Chilean man, was beaten and tortured for hours in a Santiago park in March 2012 by four men linked to a neo-Nazi gang; he died of his injuries 25 days later, prompting Chile to pass a long-stalled anti-discrimination law.
Where did the murder happen?
San Borja Park, Santiago, Chile.
Who was convicted?
Alejandro Angulo Tapia (Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.), Fabian Mora Mora (Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to 7 years imprisonment due to cooperation with investigators and lack of prior convictions.), Patricio Ahumada Garay (Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to life imprisonment on 28 October 2013.), and Raúl López Fuentes (Found guilty of first-degree murder on 17 October 2013; sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.).
When a file you follow changes — a new development, a correction, fresh coverage — the Dispatch is how you hear about it.
The Casepin Dispatch
A calm weekly briefing from the archive — one case worth understanding, meaningful updates to files you follow, and the best new coverage. You’ll also get the one-time note when the apps land. No gore, no rumor, no drip.
