Former Soccer Star’s Partner Dies After Falling From Apartment Building
Authorities Investigating Circumstances Surrounding the Death
A tragedy has struck the world of Argentine football: Raquel Candia, partner of former River Plate defender Fernando “Negro” Cáceres, died Monday afternoon after a fall from the seventh floor of the building they shared in Ramos Mejia, Buenos Aires.
Neighbors reported hearing screams from the couple’s apartment just hours after they had moved in last Saturday. Police found the apartment in disarray. Witnesses claimed to have seen Candia fall. The 45-year-old woman died in the courtyard below.
Cáceres, who has been confined to a wheelchair since a carjacking in 2009 left him with a gunshot wound and lasting injuries, was reportedly the only person present at the time of Candia’s death.
“We are not ruling out any hypotheses; it is still too early in the investigation,” La Matanza prosecutor Carlos Arribas said yesterday. “We are on the scene gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. We don’t know if there was a third person involved.”
A Dark Past – Cáceres Overcomes Tragedy and Triumphs in Football
Cáceres, now 51, is a tragic figure. The former heart-of-the-defense for River Plate and teammate of greats like Enzo Francescoli, suffered unimaginable pain in Nov. 2009 when he was targeted by armed robbers in Ciudadela.
The assailants, driving two stolen Fiat Siena cars, attempted a robbery. As Cáceres tried to back up to avoid the thieves, they shot through the windshield of his BMW, hitting Cáceres in the head, and sped away.
Against the odds, doctors at Carrillo Hospital managed to save his life, but the tragedy took its toll. Cáceres lost his right eye and was left permanently confined to a wheelchair. Two of the attackers, nicknamed “Kuki” and “Chanchi,” then 17, were eventually convicted of the crime.
Despite navigating a difficult road to recovery, Cáceres remained a fixture in Argentine football. He continued to be seen at River Plate games and events, a testament to his enduring spirit, and a reminder of his strength after overcoming such a devastating eventvolving. He secured this fan support even while Pedro Troglio was coach.
Soon after the attack left him paralyzed, the defender became a powerful advocate for people with disabilities. He dedicated himself to raising awareness and advocating for people facing similar challenges, inspiring many with his resilience and dedication to making a difference.
It is these threads of his past, both the horrific robbery and his courage in its aftermath, that make his current tragedy all the more poignant. The famed footballer had already overcome unimaginable challenges only to face new hardship when the unimaginable occurred.
What are the circumstances surrounding Raquel Candia’s death?
## Interview with Crime Reporter, Ricardo Perez
**Host**: Tragedy struck the world of Argentine football yesterday. Former River Plate defender Fernando “Negro” Cáceres’ partner, Raquel Candia, died after falling from their seventh-floor apartment. Ricardo, can you tell us more about what we know so far?
**Ricardo Perez:** Absolutely. This is truly a devastating situation. Raquel Candia, a 45-year-old woman, tragically fell from the apartment building in Ramos Mejia, Buenos Aires, where she and Mr. Cáceres had just moved in on Saturday.
**Host**: That’s right, they had only just moved in. Have authorities released any information about the circumstances leading up to the fall?
**Ricardo Perez**: As of right now, authorities are keeping an open mind. [[1](https://www.eldiarionuevodia.com.ar/nacionales/muerte-y-misterio-la-pareja-del-negro-caceres-fallecio-tras-caer-de-un-septimo-piso/)]Neighbors reported hearing screams coming from the apartment just hours before the fall. Additionally, police found the apartment in disarray, further adding to the mystery surrounding this event.
**Host**: You mentioned Mr. Cáceres was at home at the time. Can you tell us anything about his condition and if he’s cooperating with the authorities?
**Ricardo Perez**: Fernando “Negro” Cáceres has been confined to a wheelchair since 2009 due to injuries sustained in a carjacking. Understandably, this tragic event must be incredibly difficult for him. He is cooperating with the investigation, according to sources [[1](https://www.eldiarionuevodia.com.ar/nacionales/muerte-y-misterio-la-pareja-del-negro-caceres-fallecio-tras-caer-de-un-septimo-piso/)]. Authorities are interviewing him as a standard part of their investigation.
**Host**: It’s truly a hard situation all around. Thank you for bringing us up to speed, Ricardo.
**Ricardo Perez**: My pleasure. This is a developing story, and I’m sure we’ll learn more in the coming days.
