A judge ordered on Apr. 25 that five individuals be held in preventive detention as suspects in the killing of Agustín Alonso Carvajal Benavides, a 34-year-old computer engineer and event promoter. The decision follows an investigation by the San Carlos branch of the Judicial Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The court ruling includes three months of provisional detention for an 18-year-old suspect who allegedly participated in the crime while still a minor, under juvenile justice regulations. The other four suspects are to remain in custody for six months as investigations into aggravated homicide continue.
Authorities said Carvajal’s body was found on Dec. 29, 2025, at a property in Garabito de Aguas Zarcas with gunshot wounds. The arrests followed several raids conducted across San José, San Carlos, and Alajuela as part of what investigators call Case Estrella. During these operations, police seized vehicles believed to have been used during the crime and items reportedly stolen from the victim.
Interim director of the Judicial Investigation Agency Michael Soto described how “the victim was at his home when several men arrived, entered, tied him up and later killed him with a firearm.” According to Soto, “they stole jewelry, electronic items, money and a high-end vehicle” from Carvajal’s residence.
Carvajal was known professionally as executive director of Starticket.cr—a digital ticketing company involved with concerts and event transportation services—and had helped organize shows such as Colombian singer Beéle’s concert last September. Investigators named their operation after his company’s English name.
Police are exploring multiple motives for the crime: one is robbery—authorities recovered an ¢80 million Range Rover taken from Carvajal; another is possible business-related disputes; and a third line investigates whether comments made by Carvajal on social media about fugitive Alejandro Arias Monge could have triggered the attack. “We are still investigating this process to clarify it,” Soto said.
