Public interest in Matías Vera Oyarzo waned after 2019, but sporadic updates emerged. In 2020, the case resurfaced when images spread online of someone crushing a kitten’s head with their foot in Punta Arenas; all suspicion pointed to Matías, though definitive proof remained elusive. In March 2019, he was also accused of sexually harassing two female classmates at his school. As of 2021, his exact whereabouts were unknown, and legal consequences for the animal abuse remained minimal due to his status as a minor at the time of the crime.
The incident sparked intense political debate in Chile and across Latin America regarding the optimization of animal welfare laws. It underscored the necessity of treating digital animal abuse as a severe criminal offense rather than a minor infraction, leading to stricter tracking of online animal cruelty. Conclusion: Digital Safety and Consumption