In mid-2003, Justice Gallino ordered an investigation. No neighbor or relative was aware of what happened to the Gills, and that they had left on their own was unlikely: they had no vehicle of their own and Margarita, who had another job at the school in town, had not received her latest salary. In 2008, a raid was carried out on the La Candelaria estancia, where the floor was raised, wells were dug out and traces of blood were found using
luminol. Three human blood samples were recovered, without the Gills' genetic pattern, although experts made it clear that over time the samples had been contaminated. The area was monitored with an
echo sounder in order to find traces of disturbed soil, but none were detected. In that same year, a "psychological autopsy" was conducted, through which a forensic psychologist concluded that the Gills had no psychological or religious motives which could lead them to sever ties with loved ones, and that while the family had little contact with other families in the area, Rubén was "a happy, loquacious, sociable man, who never looked sad." However, several witnesses reported that in the days before his disappearance, he had been "silent, thoughtful and very concerned". In November 2011, a search was performed on a well in the countryside, where the family resided. During the investigation, authorities investigated leads in different Argentine provinces, as well as in
Paraguay and
Brazil, but to no avail. Among the different hypotheses, there was talk of a
forced disappearance, a confrontation with a field owner and a sentimental conflict. Neither of these led to anything conclusive. Rubén's brother, Osvaldo, and Margarita's mother, Adelia, demanded that the basement of the estancia be investigated, since they alleged that Goette had covered it and built it upstairs.
Alfonso Goette's statements The owner of the estancia hinted at the possibility that the family might have gone to
Santa Fe to visit relatives, or have migrated to the northeast in search of work. In addition, the fact that Goette did not notice the Gills' disappearance until three months later and that some acquaintances declared that the relationship between them was not good, suspicions fell on the owner. However, no compromising evidence has been located thus far. With his death, the investigation of the death could be reopened. For this, a police commission has been formed. == Family members ==