Son of Missing Cuban Cardiologist in Madrid Arrested; Possible Involvement Under Investigation

The son of Roberto Fernández Magriñat, an 84-year-old Cuban doctor who vanished in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, has been arrested and placed in provisional detention. Authorities are probing his potential involvement in the disappearance and presumed death of his father, whose body remains missing.

The detained individual, aged 51, is also a practicing physician and previously operated a clinic in the same Madrid area, as reported by Telecinco.

Roberto was last seen on the morning of September 7 in the vicinity of Virgen del Pilar Street, around 9:30 a.m. Born in Havana, the cardiologist suffered from Alzheimer's and had been increasingly disoriented in the days leading up to his disappearance. His family reported him missing to the National Police that same day and issued alerts in hopes of locating him.

Case Takes Unexpected Turn

The investigation took a dramatic turn just three days later. On September 10, police apprehended his son, and a judge subsequently ordered his provisional imprisonment.

Despite the arrest, the whereabouts of Roberto's body remains a central mystery in this case.

Family's Struggle for Answers

Orlando, the missing doctor's brother, shared with Spanish media that his nephew initially explained that Roberto had fallen at home. "He said his father fell, that he applied a band-aid, and when he woke up, Roberto was gone," Orlando recounted. According to the nephew's account, he was unaware of his father's location and even considered reporting his disappearance.

Upon learning of the arrest, Orlando expressed his outrage and confirmed his nephew's continued detention. "My nephew, who I no longer consider family, is in provisional detention," he stated.

The brother further alleged that the detained son has a history involving another homicide, for which he had been incarcerated and is awaiting trial in December. However, this claim has not been officially verified by authorities in relation to the ongoing investigation.

Unanswered Questions Remain

The family is uncertain whether, if a crime was committed, the arrested son acted alone or had accomplices. "We don't know if he was the one who carried it out, had help, or sent someone else. These are questions we still have," Orlando explained.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Group XII of the Superior Police Headquarters of Madrid, specializing in kidnappings and disappearances, alongside officers from the Torrejón de Ardoz police station.

For the family, locating Roberto is the utmost priority. "We don't know where his body might be. What we do know is that his arrest was based on evidence suggesting his involvement," said his brother.

Remembering Roberto Fernández Magriñat

Roberto Fernández Magriñat was born in Havana and worked as a cardiologist in Cuba before moving to Spain, where he continued his medical career and raised a family. His brother described him as "a highly skilled professional" and an "upstanding individual." Diagnosed with Alzheimer's around eight years ago, Roberto's condition had deteriorated to the point where he required assistance for daily activities. Orlando made efforts to maintain regular contact with him. "Sometimes he'd regain his mental clarity, but it was challenging," he recalled.

Now, the family hopes the investigation will shed light on what transpired after Roberto was last seen on September 7 and, most importantly, determine his whereabouts. "We hope justice is served with rigor and firmness," declared Orlando.