A human skull found inside a plastic bag and hidden in a drain on the Costa del Sol belongs to a man who vanished during the height of the Covid pandemic, it has emerged.
The grisly discovery was made in Alhaurin de la Torre on June 4, 2025, when municipal workers were clearing an undeveloped plot of land in the town.
At around 10.30am, they found the bag inside a drainage chamber (arqueta), and quickly realised in contained a human skull, with several teeth still in tact.
The molars may have helped the Guardia Civil identify the victim as Francisco Jose Aguera, a resident of Coin who vanished in April 2020.
At that time, the whole of Spain was under strict lockdown measures due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Agüera was 59 years old when his disappearance was reported almost six years ago, but his case received limited coverage at the time.
Following confirmation of his death, acknowledged by his family on social media, the investigation has now entered a new phase.
A murder investigation has been launched by the Guardia Civil, who believe the person who dumped his remains also killed him.
The force has not released any further information about potential suspects.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
