José Smith Guerra Calderón and Brayan Alexis Avilés Ronquillo, who were being held in preventive detention for the murder of businesswoman Viviana del Rosario Cerón Yunga, were found dead in Machala prison on the afternoon of March 7, just eleven days after their arrest. The two men had been taken into custody following the violent murder that occurred on February 24 in Machala, where Cerón, 47, was shot while traveling in her red vehicle.

Investigations revealed that Guerra Calderón, aged 22, and Avilés Ronquillo, aged 24, were from Guayas and had traveled specifically to El Oro to carry out the crime, which was believed to be linked to an act of retaliation due to Cerón's husband being a prominent mining entrepreneur. Details of the murder have sparked public interest, not only due to the nature of the crime but also because it highlights the ongoing violence and criminal activities associated with the region’s mining industry.

The deaths of the suspects in prison raise serious questions regarding prison safety and the conditions within Ecuadorian correctional facilities. The incident has prompted discussions about criminal justice and how the state manages high-profile cases, particularly those involving organized crime. As the investigation continues, it will seek to uncover not just the motives behind the murder but the circumstances that led to the sudden deaths of the suspects in custody.