The Story of Ingrid Escamilla: Dead, Dismembered, and Thrown in the Toilet by Boyfriend
Ingrid Escamilla’s Life: A Promising Young Woman in Mexico City
Ingrid Escamilla Vargas, was a 25-year-old woman, a master’s student in tourism business administration, living in Mexico City with her 46-year-old boyfriend, Erik Francisco Robledo, a civil engineer. Ingrid was known for being a joyful woman who loved animals, travel, and life. After the September 19, 2017 earthquake in Mexico, Ingrid volunteered in the reconstruction of the region’s houses, encouraging others to do the same.
Ignored Alerts: History of Violence in Ingrid and Erik’s Relationship
Ingrid and Erik’s relationship was tumultuous. In 2019, she filed a complaint against her boyfriend for assault, but the charges were later dropped. Neighbors reported hearing frequent arguments and had an agreement with the building superintendent that Ingrid couldn’t receive visitors when he was absent. Due to their troubled relationship, in January 2020, Ingrid attempted suicide by jumping from the building’s balcony, but the police intervened. Erik already had a violence complaint from his ex-wife Ivonne Berragán during their time together.
The Brutal Crime: The Tragic Outcome of the February 9, 2020 Argument
On February 9, 2020, Erik came home intoxicated, a common occurrence, and was questioned by Ingrid about his condition. The couple started arguing until Ingrid expressed a desire to kill him, to which he replied that she should. Ingrid grabbed a knife and continued threatening him, with Erik encouraging the act, until she stabbed him once. To provoke her, Erik told her to try harder, and when she did, he attacked and stabbed her.
To conceal his actions, Erik began dismembering Ingrid’s body with the same knife she had used, removing internal organs and skin. Some parts he disposed of in the toilet, while others he put in a black bag and threw it in the street six blocks away. Erik, along with his ex-wife, had a 14-year-old autistic son who witnessed the entire crime. Afterward, Erik Francisco called her, asking to pick up the boy because he had killed his girlfriend; she then called the police. They found him in the apartment next to the body with a knife, covered in blood.
Social Repercussions: Protests and Ingrid’s Law
While awaiting trial, photos of Ingrid’s body leaked online. Many women in Mexico City began posting pictures of landscapes, beauty, and other pleasant topics with the #IngridEscamilla hashtag, aiming to associate her memory with positive things rather than the tragic event. Six officers were being investigated for the misuse of the photos. As a result of this violation, in 2021, the Mexico City Congress approved the “Ingrid Law” to penalize with two to six years in prison anyone who discloses images of deceased victims by any means.
Justice Achieved: Conviction of Erik Francisco Robledo
While in preventive custody, Erik informed authorities that he would take his own life, leading to a psychological evaluation at the Male Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center. The perpetrator’s profile has not been disclosed.
On October 13, 2022, Erik Francisco Robledo was sentenced to 70 years in prison, in addition to a fine to cover funeral expenses and additional compensation for the victim’s family. The case was classified as femicide, given the emotional relationship between the two.
