Héctor Osvaldo Miranda Vivar died that day at 11:45 hours, in the Victoria Prison, due to a bilateral retroperitoneal hematoma, as stated in the Medical Death Certificate from the Legal Medical Institute.

According to statements from his family members and records contained in the respective judicial proceedings, Héctor Miranda was serving a custodial sentence at the Puerto Montt Prison. On December 20, 1987, he was transferred, by virtue of a disciplinary measure, to the Victoria Prison, where he died the day after his arrival.

The prison warden informed the Court that the detainee suffered an accidental fall in his punishment cell, causing a probable closed head injury, for which he was taken to the hospital where he died.

However, the autopsy performed confirmed the existence of multiple homicidal injuries and that the death could have been prevented with timely and effective aid, as several hours elapsed between the assault and the medical consultation.

The first-instance judgment issued in the case concluded that Miranda Vivar was beaten by four Gendarmería officials with blunt objects, feet, and fists, over a prolonged period, causing the serious injuries that led to his death.

The ruling sentenced the aforementioned officials to three years and one day of minor imprisonment in its maximum degree for the crime of using unnecessary rigor causing death.

Considering the evidence gathered by this Corporation, the Superior Council determined that the death of Héctor Osvaldo Miranda Vivar was due to the torture and beatings to which he was subjected by State agents during his time in prison. For this reason, it declared him a victim of human rights violations.