San Marcos University: The Shocking Story of a Student’s Murder and Second Attack

The midday of December 12, 2017, remains a dark mark on the memory of the National University of San Marcos community. Within the Psychology Faculty, a 20-year-old student was fatally stabbed whereas on his way to check his grades after completing his fourth academic cycle. This horrific event, and the subsequent attack days later, has left a lasting impact on the university and sparked questions about campus safety and mental health.

The news of the discovery quickly spread through the university corridors. Forensic experts secured the area, and agents from the Criminal Investigation Division (Dirincri) rapidly entered the building. University authorities restricted student access while investigations were underway. The initial shock gave way to a search for answers, and the identification of a suspect: Húber Chacara Castro.

The Initial Attack and the Victim

The victim was identified as Erik Kevin Arenas Sierra, a 20-year-old psychology student. According to forensic reports, he sustained cuts to his neck and chest. The university rector, Orestes Cachay, pledged full cooperation with the investigation, turning over security camera footage to authorities. The discovery of a message written in plasticine on a faculty railing – simply stating “I am the killer” – added a chilling dimension to the case.

Identifying the Suspect: Húber Chacara Castro

The investigation quickly focused on Húber Chacara Castro, a 29-year-old who had previously been a student at San Marcos. He had enrolled in the Psychology program in 2006, studying in the same building where the murder took place, but left in 2008. During police questioning, Chacara confessed not only to Arenas’ murder but also to writing the plasticine message. His social media profile revealed extremist views, including anti-communist sentiments and expressions of homophobia.

Chacara’s past also included prior run-ins with the law, with reports of robbery and alleged involvement in prostitution dating back to 2011. He was accused of stealing a laptop and iPhone, and apprehended with another individual thanks to GPS tracking of the devices.

A Second Attack: The Return to Campus

The horror didn’t complete with Erik Arenas’ death. Just days later, on December 28, 2017, Chacara returned to the university campus and attacked another student, Lizet Linares Cabello, a 26-year-old studying Chemistry. He inflicted cuts to her face and arms, and stabbed her twice – once in the face and once in the back. Students and staff intervened, subduing Chacara until police arrived. He confessed to both attacks while in custody.

The Legal Outcome: Inimputable Due to Schizophrenia

Initial prosecution sought a 35-year prison sentence for Arenas’ murder. However, psychiatric evaluations determined that Chacara suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and multiple substance dependencies. The Fourth Penal Court for Processes with Detainees declared him legally inimputable for Arenas’ death. The court cited “delusional thinking,” auditory hallucinations (“hearing voices ordering him to kill”), and impaired will as factors in their decision. He was ordered to be confined for 20 years in the Honorio Delgado-Hideyo Noguchi National Mental Health Institute.

A similar outcome followed in the case of Lizet Linares Cabello. In September 2018, Chacara was also declared inimputable for the attempted murder of Linares, receiving a 10-year commitment to a mental health facility due to a diagnosis of schizophrenic psychosis, substance-related behavioral disorders, and antisocial personality traits.

The Aftermath and Lingering Fears

The case understandably left the San Marcos community deeply shaken. Erik Arenas’ mother, Fresia Sierra, expressed her anguish and fear, stating she received threatening calls after the attacks and worried about the safety of her family. She also criticized the university for a perceived lack of support. The attacks prompted a review of security measures at the university, but the psychological scars remained.

This case highlights the complex intersection of mental health, violence, and the legal system. While Chacara was deemed legally responsible for his actions, his mental state played a crucial role in the court’s decision. The long-term confinement ordered by the court reflects the need to both ensure public safety and provide care for individuals with severe mental illness. You can find more information about mental health resources in Peru through the Ministry of Health’s website.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased mental health awareness and accessible resources, particularly within educational institutions. Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Chacara’s access to the campus, despite his history and mental health concerns, may be warranted to prevent similar tragedies in the future.