Ariel Eduardo Zúñiga Llanquilef died that day at 3:00 hours, on the Carretera Panamericana Sur, in the commune of Pitrufquén, from multiple trauma with a cervical fracture-dislocation due to being run over, as stated in the Medical Death Certificate from the Legal Medical Institute. The Autopsy Report indicates that the cervical fracture was what caused his instantaneous death.

On February 12, 1990, in the early morning, Ariel Zúñiga was walking while intoxicated along the Carretera Sur, in the company of a friend. Both were intercepted by a Carabineros patrol, and one of the officers threatened them, striking Zúñiga Llanquilef with his service baton, causing him to fall to the ground on his back.

His body was found on the highway; according to what was stated in the Carabineros report, it showed signs of having been run over moments earlier. However, that version was contradicted by the statement of another police officer.

Considering the evidence gathered, this Corporation concluded that the death of Ariel Eduardo Zúñiga Llanquilef was due to an abuse of power committed by an agent of the State outside the scope of his duties and without having been sanctioned by the respective authority, which ensured his impunity. For that reason, it declared him a victim of human rights violations.