Octavio Ocaña: why the Mexican actor’s family questions the circumstances of his death (and what the authorities say)

The death of actor Octavio Ocaña has caused a commotion in Mexico.

The 22-year-old, who became popular since he was 5 years old for his character Benito in the series Neighbors, died last Friday from a gunshot wound to the head after a police chase on a highway on the outskirts of the capital.

According to the State Prosecutor’s Office, the actor died from a gunshot a weapon that was inside the vehicle and that it was triggered when the car hit a wall.

“As a result of the impact of the truck, Octavio N accidentally shot himself the firearm that he had in his right hand, the bullet hit him in the head and due to this injury he lost his life when he was transferred to the hospital to receive medical attention. “says an official statement posted on Facebook.

However, controversy surrounds the death of Ocaña after the family questioned the official version of what happened.

The Human Rights Commission of the State of Mexico, where the events occurred, announced on Sunday that it will investigate the case for alleged human rights violations against Ocaña.

The death of Ocaña generated commotion among many Mexicans, with the hashtag #JusticiaParaBenito going viral on social networks.

What the authorities say

According to the official report, the police wanted to stop Ocaña’s vehicle after receiving a report “that there were some people aboard a gray Jeep truck carrying a firearm,” although it is not clear how they learned of the alleged existence. gun.

The funeral took place on the weekend.

The Prosecutor’s Office assures that, although he was ordered to stop the vehicle, the actor accelerated to avoid being arrested, which started the persecution. Then he lost control of the car and crashed on the side of the highway.

“In his attempt to flee, the driver of the private van crashed and was found injured with a firearm in his hand, however, he was still alive, for which the support of the police units was immediately requested. Civil Protection emergency, who provided him with first aid and transferred him to the hospital (…), where moments later he lost his life, “explains the authorities’ report.

Police say there was no exchange of shots and the toxicology test indicated that the actor tested positive for alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of marijuana.

In the vehicle, the prosecution said, there were empty beer cans and a bottle of tequila.

What the family says

The young man’s father, Octavio Pérez, rejected the official version and assured that the weapon and alcohol at the scene of the accident had been planted.

“Do not ask me about weapons because that does not exist, those are things that they invented, of course it was something planted, it had someone to take care of it and they (the police) are the ones who bring weapons,” he said in statements to local media.

In a video that seems to show the moments after the car hit a highway wall – and whose authenticity could not be confirmed by BBC Mundo – a young man is seen touching a head wound with his bloody right hand while the police handcuff another occupant of the car.

In the recording, the officers are not seen offering first aid or trying to help the injured young man.

Pérez and other relatives of the actor blamed the police for what happened.

“I am devastated and this goes to all parents who have lost a child like me, our children are exposed, by this policy that we have and by that police, who are corrupt, because that is what happened to my son,” he said. the father of the young interpreter.

In statements published by the newspaper Reforma, the actor’s sisters, Ana and Bertha Ocaña, also described what happened as “injustice.”

“Of course it was a case of injustice. We are going to go to the extreme and we are going to ask for justice,” Ana said.

“Unfortunately we live in a country where justice does not exist and, apparently, it will never exist,” said Bertha.

Ocaña’s co-stars also expressed their shock at the death of the actor, who also worked in Mexican productions such as Once upon a time (2007), La familia P. Luche (2007), Hermanos y detectives (2009); I give you life (2020) and La mexicana y el güero (2020).

“Violence once again took one of ours from us. Octavio as a child, won the hearts of many Mexicans. I join all the voices that demand justice for him and his family,” wrote the director of Neighbors on Instagram, Eugenio Derbez.