The four lesbian women shared a room in a guesthouse in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. A 62-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the crime. Police have not yet disclosed the motive of the suspect, but local LGBT+ organisations fear it may be a hate crime. 

One of the women died almost immediately, while the second and third fatal victims died in the hospital from their injuries. The fourth woman who was in the room is still in the hospital. It is unclear how she is doing. 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on Argentine authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident. “Authorities in Argentina should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the killings and ensure proper medical care and housing for the surviving woman.”  However, the human rights organisation does not see the attack as an isolated incident. Since the election of President Javier Milei, a harsh anti-LGBT+ wind has been blowing through Argentina. “Government officials should cease and condemn rhetoric that stigmatizes queer women and may contribute to a climate in which they are seen as deserving of violence,” says HRW.