The facts of the case refer to rape, disappearance and subsequent murder of Claudina Velásquez Paiz 19-year- old who studied undergraduate law and social sciences. On August 12, 2005 she left her home to go to university, but never returned. The next day her body was found with signs of violence in Zone 11 of Guatemala City. The Inter-American Court framed the facts within the context of increased homicidal violence against women in the country.

The Inter-American Court analyzed the state obligation to guarantee the right to life, integrity, honor, and dignity in light of the violation of the duty to prevent and lack of due diligence in investigating the facts. Regarding the latter issue, the Court stressed the additional extent of state duty to investigate gender violence, and emphasized some minimum guidelines to ensure its effectiveness.