Google Maps spots suspicious ‘white object’ in car trunk, cracks Spain murder mystery

Image credit: Google street view

In Spain, a seemingly ordinary Google Street View image of someone loading a white bag into a car boot became a significant piece of evidence in a missing person case from 2023.
Spanish National Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of two individuals in Soria province, located approximately 100 miles north of Madrid. The detainees included the missing person’s partner and another individual who was also romantically involved with her, according to NYT.
A 33-year-old Cuban man, according to El Pais newspaper, vanished in October 2023, raising concerns after a family member received questionable text messages from his mobile device. The police investigation began when the family member reported their doubts about messages claiming the victim had encountered a woman, planned to depart Spain, and intended to dispose of his mobile phone.
The investigation began after a missing person report was filed. Police searched the suspects’ homes and vehicles. While looking for evidence, investigators found images from a “location application” showing a vehicle possibly involved in the crime. Spanish media identified the images as coming from Google Maps Street View, depicting a person placing a white-shrouded object into a car trunk in Tajueco.
A National Police representative verified the reports of Google Map helping break open the case. “It’s true,” she stated, whilst also noting, “The image was not the key to solving the case.”
However, Miguel Latorre, the central government’s representative in Soria, told RTVE, “the person ‘can presumably be’ considered the culprit.”
In further development this month, police found a severely decomposed human torso, believed to belong to the victim, in a Soria province cemetery, which has been handed over for forensic investigation.
This is not unprecedented for Google Maps to assist in criminal investigations. In 2022, Italian authorities utilised the platform to locate a convicted murderer in Spain. However, Google’s Street View programme has faced criticism, including a 2016 incident in Oakland, California, where a man attacked Street View vehicles, believing he was under surveillance.