This is the moment a father is arrested for murdering his ex-partner and her mother before kidnapping his son and going on the run.
The arrest took place at Hotel Berlin in Gualeguaychu, in Entre Rios, Argentina, on 12th October.
The footage shows officers intercepting him inside the hotel. Police said the child was rescued in good health.
Investigators said Pablo Laurta was identified as the suspected killer of his ex-partner, Luna Giardina, and her mother, Mariel Zamudio, in Villa Rivera Indarte, Cordoba on 11th October.
Authorities said the disappearance of the boy triggered a nationwide Sofia Alert and an international Interpol notice.
Officials said the arrest was carried out by the Entre Rios Police and coordinated with the Cordoba authorities.
They added that the case is proceeding as a double aggravated homicide involving gender-based and family violence.
Luna had previously reported Laurta in Uruguay three years earlier for attempted strangulation and ongoing physical and psychological abuse.
She had fled across the border to Cordoba with their son to escape the violence and rebuild her life away from him, but he tracked her down.
Sources from the Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior said there was an active alert on the border while the case remains under Argentine jurisdiction.
Police are investigating whether Laurta is also connected to two other incidents, including a church fire in Cordoba that killed two Uruguayan girls and the disappearance of a driver whose car was later found burned.
Images released from the hotel show the suspect offering minimal resistance before he is subdued by plainclothes officers.
Officials said sensitive details of the operation and judicial process are being withheld under a gag order.
Security officials in Cordoba and Entre Rios said they coordinated throughout the search to locate the child without endangering him.
Feminist organisations in Cordoba and Montevideo said “once again, the State is arriving late” and called for stronger comprehensive protection systems for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
The investigation is ongoing.
(Joe Golder/ newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-01.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Luna Giardina, 24, with mother Mariel Zamudio, 50, and son, undated. The two women were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-02.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Pablo Laurta with son, undated. He killed his ex and her mother in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-03.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Luna Giardina, 24, with mother Mariel Zamudio, 50, and son, undated. The two women were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-04.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Luna Giardina, 24, undated. She and her mother were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-05.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Pablo Laurta poses in undated photo. He killed his ex and her mother in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-06.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Pablo Laurta at the time of his arrest, undated. He killed his ex and her mother in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-07.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Mariel Zamudio, 50, poses in undated photo. She and her daughter were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-08.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Luna Giardina, 24, undated. She and her mother were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-09.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Mariel Zamudio, 50, poses in undated photo. She and her daughter were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-10.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Picture shows Pedro with policewoman, undated. His mother and grandmother were killed in Cordoba, Argentina. Note: Private photo. (newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-11.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Police arrests Pablo Laurta in Gualeguaychu, Argentina, Oct. 12, 2025. He is the main suspect of having murdered Luna Giardina and Mariel Zamudio, and then escaped with his five-year-old son. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-12.jpg Copyright: newsX
Description: Police arrests Pablo Laurta in Gualeguaychu, Argentina, Oct. 12, 2025. He is the main suspect of having murdered Luna Giardina and Mariel Zamudio, and then escaped with his five-year-old son. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video(newsX)
NewsX-ExsLews-01.mp4 Video Copyright: newsX Video Caption: Caption: Police arrests Pablo Laurta in Gualeguaychu, Argentina, Oct. 12, 2025. He is the main suspect of having murdered Luna Giardina and Mariel Zamudio, and then escaped with his five-year-old son. ***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/
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Byline Journalist: Joseph Golder
Byline Sub editor: Marija Stojkoska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Joseph Golder
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: David Stojkovic
Byline Copychecker: Angela Trajkovska
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Joseph Golder
Geography: Córdoba,_Argentina
Subject: Legal, Crime, Kidnapping, Real-life, Relationships / Dating, Society
