Three police officers in Canelones, Uruguay, were remanded in preventive detention for 120 days until February 2027 after being formally charged with homicide and abuse of authority. The charges follow the July 21 death of 30-year-old Maximiliano Machini, who died at his home after officers transported him to a hospital and subsequently returned him to his residence.
The formalization hearing took place on Wednesday, as Montevideo Portal reported. Prosecutor investigations remain active as authorities gather further evidence ahead of a potential trial. Meanwhile, the presiding judge in the case, Luis Sabot, ordered the 120-day preventive detention measure while the investigation progresses, according to reporting by Telenoche. Legal filings indicate that if prosecutors successfully prove the aggravating factors presented during the hearing, the eventual sentence could exceed 20 years in prison.
Chronology of Events in San Antonio and San Ramón
The sequence of events began on July 21 at Machini’s home in San Antonio, Canelones. According to accounts provided by the victim’s family, Machini experienced a severe descompensation linked to drug consumption. When his parents and brother found themselves unable to calm or contain him, they contacted the 911 emergency service for assistance.
A police mobile unit carrying three officers arrived at the residence shortly thereafter. The officers placed Machini in handcuffs and transported him directly to the hospital in San Ramón. His mother, Gianela Corujo, stated that medical staff at the facility managed to stabilize her son, noting that he ultimately walked out of the healthcare center under his own power.
Initial medical examinations conducted at the hospital indicated that Machini arrived and departed without physical injuries. However, the subsequent autopsy findings contrasted sharply with those initial medical checks, confirming that the victim sustained fractures and physical blows. Data retrieved from the police vehicle's GPS device revealed that the patrol car made two separate stops along the roadway during the return transit between San Ramón and San Antonio.
Family Discovers Machini Is Unresponsive at Home
Upon returning to the residence in San Antonio, the same police officers informed Corujo that her son was going to sleep for three days. Believing that medical personnel had administered heavy sedation at the hospital, the mother engaged in conversation with the officers outside while her other son remained inside the house with Machini.
Minutes later, the brother discovered that Machini was unresponsive, noting that his forehead and feet felt cold. Corujo sought help from a nearby neighbor who is a physician, and the neighbor advised them to rush the victim immediately to the Hospital de Canelones. Corujo subsequently demanded a full investigation into the conduct of the responding officers to establish accountability.
| Case Detail | Reported Status / Finding |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | July 21 |
| Location | San Antonio & San Ramón, Canelones |
| Judicial Action | 120 days preventive detention (until February 2027) |
| Formal Charges | Homicide in real iteration with abuse of authority |
| Key Evidence | GPS records showing two vehicle stops; autopsy confirming fractures and blows |
As the judicial process moves forward, the prosecution continues to build its case. The preventative measures will remain in place for four months while evidence is compiled for trial.
