Only survivor of the Flores Massacre details the tragedy that killed his entire family, new legislation to support victims
I wanted to save my family, but I felt starved of air and could not breathe. The fire kept pushing me closer to the window. Hoping to get out, I looked down at the flower bed in our garden just as the blinds caught fire. My house, my family – everything was gone. The fire began to sear my back.
After a terrible incident that left Matias Bagnato an orphan in 1994, he lived with his grandmother Norma, who took care of him and offered him unconditional love and support, and helped him recover. | Photo courtesy of Matias BagnatoPlay
INTERVIEW SUBJECT
Matías Bagnato was the only survivor of the intentional fire that killed his entire family in the neighborhood of Flores, Argentina in 1994. At the age of 16, he lost his parents and his two brothers when a coworker of his father’s set fire to their house in the night. Now, he advocates for victims of similar situations to ensure the justice system protects them. He eventually started a family of his own and still resides in Argentina.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
After a positive vote from 219 legislators, the Chamber of Deputies in Argentina approved a bill to protect victims of crimes. Establishments have been created to welcome victims 24 hours a day and to provide resources, medical aid, and specialists to support them.
Warning: This story contains graphic details about a fire that took the lives of five individuals including three children, and the experience of the lone survivor.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — On February 17, 1994, at 16 years old, I snuck into the bathroom to have a cigarette, as I always did. That night, my mother, father, two little brothers, and their friend made for a full house. I sprayed deodorant to cover up the scent and wished my parents goodnight. Retiring to my room, I fell asleep while listening to music.
Suddenly, I woke up to an intense heat engulfing me. My body was drenched in sweat, and I struggled to breathe. The air felt suffocating. I looked around frantically, attempting to find a way out of the flames. Amid the chaos, I heard my brother Fernando’s desperate screams: “I’m burning, I’m burning!” My mom started to shout, pleading for someone to help her children.
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I woke up in the middle of the night to the screams of my family
During that time, my father worked at shoe factory but seemed unaware of the intense issues happening there. Then, one his business partners threatened our family. As a teenager, I knew little about his work, and we ignored the threats at first. We assumed this man’s anger would dissipate. Then, on that night in February, as we slept soundly, tragedy struck our home, and the threat became real.
In my room, I lost all strength but managed to open a window as I gasped for air. Terror consumed me. A panicked neighbor spotted me from outside and screamed, urging me to escape as fast as I could. “The entire house is burning,” he said. It felt unreal – like a terrible nightmare playing out around me.
I glanced out of my window toward my brother Fernando’s. A fierce blue flame shot out of it, resembling a blowtorch. Suddenly, a deafening noise resonated through the house, as if everything was collapsing. I removed my shirt, took a deep breath, and shifted my gaze toward the door of my room. I saw a light seeping from underneath it. At that moment, all I wanted was to be in my parents’ arms, safe and sound. Fear and terror gripped me with an intensity I had never felt before.
Moment by moment, he watches the flames consume everything
I covered my mouth with a cloth and made my way to my parents’ room. The door looked as if it had exploded. A flame ignited my hair and threw me to the ground. As I attempted to extinguish the fire on my head, I witnessed a spark rapidly crawling up the ceiling, infiltrating the closet, and devouring the walls. Panic surged through me. I screamed, pleading for them to come searching for me. I shouted their names repeatedly, my voice growing weaker and weaker. Nobody answered. The noise grew louder as glass shattered and objects came crashing down.
I wanted to save my family, but I felt starved of air and could not breathe. The fire kept pushing me closer to the window. Hoping to get out, I looked down at the flower bed in our garden just as the blinds caught fire. My house, my family – everything was gone. The fire began to sear my back. Everything was burning, and I knew I would be next. I took a deep breath in and jumped out of the window. I reached a neighboring terrace and stayed there, hanging onto a ledge. The neighbor advised me not to jump onto the sidewalk, as it had also been sprayed with gasoline. Thankfully, help arrived not long after that, and they rescued me. We started shouting so my parents would know I made it out. The firefighters attempted to enter from the back of the house.
Trama filled my days and nights as the trial began
Outside of the house, I screamed and screamed for my parents. I just wanted them to know I was fine, and help was on its way; but the flames came from everywhere, and I heard no response. It did not occur to me; I may be the only survivor. More help arrived, and they gave me oxygen as they loaded me onto the ambulance. Soon after, they found my mother’s body in the bathroom inside the tub, holding my nine-year-old brother Fernando in her arms. My father died holding onto the window grate, trying to rip it off to save the family. My 14-year-old brother Alejandro and his friend Nico died completely charred, next to each other on the bed.
After the tragedy, I found it extremely difficult to learn to live without them and to process what happened. For a long time, I lived in denial as a coping mechanism. I felt like any minute, I would wake up from the nightmare. It seemed unreal. “How did this happen,” I would think, “And why?” The images haunted me for years, preventing sleep. My grandmother and I went through the public trial and the person responsible received a sentence of life in prison. When the verdict came, it felt like that stage of life ended and we could begin to grieve. Justice had finally been served. For a long time, I felt so guilty for leaving my family behind, struggling to comprehend why I didn’t do more to help them.
Just when I thought I finally found peace, the monster returned
My grandmother became my savior. She gave me emotional support, a home, clothing, and taught me to live without hatred and resentment. Fifteen years later, when I was finally living a somewhat normal life, the phone rang. I heard the voice of Fructuoso Álvarez González, the man who burned our house down. Even before the fire, my brothers and I called him “the monster” because he made a scary voice everytime he called. That morning, he threatened me on the phone, and my life came crashing down around me.
I immediately contacted my lawyer to find out which prison he was in. I could not understand how he had found me considering he was serving a life sentence. He murdered my entire family, including three children. I struggled to believe anyone would ever set him free. However, to my dismay, I discovered he had been released from prison. My life became a living hell as I relied on constant police surveillance, 24 hours a day. By then I had my own family and feared for their safety.
Even when Fructuoso was rearrested in 2011, I remained petrified. We later learned when the psychologists in the prison assessed him, they determined he was a psychopath, devoid of remorse, and he harbored significant anger toward me. The very idea he remained alive terrified me every day and night.
Peace finally comes, and with it, a new purpose
On April 30, 2023, Fructuoso Álvarez González died in the Ezeiza prison. I could finally breathe again. Looking back, I cannot fathom how I managed to survive my trauma. After everything that happened, the love I received from the people around me served as an anchor. It gave me a vital source of strength over years. With Fructuoso’s death, I can finally live in peace.
During this time, I received messages from other victims of crimes; individuals who endured similar situations at the hands of other criminals. Although the details of our cases were different, the treatment they experienced in the courts, and their search for justice, mirrored my own. I began to wonder, “Why are so many dangerous people being released from prison without a second thought about the victims?”
It began to dawn on me, I needed do something. I began reaching out to relatives of victims, and together, we pushed for the passage of a law known as the Law for the Protection of Crime Victims. This legislation ensures that the rights of victims are respected. Although we need even more improvements within the justice system, these small victories give me and other victims the strength to keep going.
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Larry June On His ‘Great Escape’: How The Posi-Rapper’s New Album With Alchemist Reflects His Healthy Hustle
‘The Great Escape,’ Larry June’s new album with the Alchemist, is a cinematic sojourn where all the B.S. is left behind. The rapper’s immense positivity flows through, with reflections on opulence, doing things differently and, of course, healthy living.
Larry June drinks about 35 oranges every morning. Pair that with 15 green juices and some chlorophyll, and you have the diet of a man who seeks the finer things in life.
“Organic” isn’t just a buzzword for Larry. His countless projects outline the Orange Print to successful living: His clothing brand, Midnight Organic, tags his apparel with words like HEALTHY, ORGANIC, and GOOD JOB!; his song titles spark conversations about the trajectory of humanity; even his lyrics provide keen insight into the daily routines and investment opportunities that have allowed June to flourish as a self-made entrepreneur.
Larry June’s persistent gratitude and optimism have guided him through the trials and tribulations within hip-hop, and his ‘hoods of Hunter’s Point, San Francisco and Vallejo. You might see him douse a crowd of fans at Rolling Loud with Uncle Larry’s Orange Juice, you might see him working at his SF boba shop, Honeybear, or you might even see him traveling through Mexico City, mesmerized by the architecture. An old-soul camouflaged as the spokesperson for Vitamin C, June has worked for over a decade to solidify his status as the suave gangster with no affinity for rap beef (unless it’s grass-fed and organic).
The Great Escape, Larry’s latest album with GRAMMY-nominated producer Alchemist, is a step away from “all the bullsh—” and an invitation into the opulent grand-opening party for their cinematic The Great Escape Ski Resort. Alchemist’s beats score this groovier film-on-wax, adding touches of psychedelic-infused reggae and downtempo, as well as loops from ‘60s-era B-reels. Larry June builds his own world of gang lords and drug deals, referencing Mexican magnate Carlos Slim to discreet calls with his own invented cast of characters. With the fleeting third-person adlib of “Sing it, Larry,” our world-rebound protagonist croons words of affirmation throughout the album.https://www.youtube.com/embed/ca_qqZay9PI?preload=metadata&enablejsapi=1&cc_load_policy=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1
Larry June’s immensely positive brand of gangsta rap holds true on The Great Escape, and rappers from around the world lend verses on the opulence of life. Action Bronson appears on “Solid Plan” to discuss the banality of artificial intelligence and Tony Soprano’s sacrifices as a mob boss; Big Sean raps with Larry about their daily chlorophyll drinks and investments commercial real estate on “Palisades, CA”; and even Wiz Khalifa roll ups to relish on the empire June has created.
But June is far from out of touch with the people. The opening track begins with the rapper battling San Francisco’s inclement weather: “Bend a corner, I’m on Hayes Street copping a windbreaker” — a moment anyone visiting the foggy city can relate to.
Although June spent part of his childhood in Atlanta, his heart has always been in the Bay — from its windswept hills to its hometown rap heroes. Larry June sat down with GRAMMY.com to discuss growing up, doing things differently, how he and the Alchemist concocted The Great Escape.
What was it like to live in Vallejo?
I loved it. It was so different. There were crazy house parties and shit. S— was tight as hell. Big Mac Dre culture. It’s a whole different energy.
Do you have any favorite Mac Dre songs or albums?
Man, I like “Not My Job.” I could bust you a rap, I love all Mac Dre’s s—. It’s not even one particular album, his s— is just so different.
Other than Mac Dre, who are some of your favorite old-school Bay Area artists?
RBL Posse, RIP to Jack[a] — legendary, you know what I’m saying, can’t forget J. Stalin, can’t forget E-40, Too $hort, you know, all the classics. B-Legit, Cellski, everybody man, there’s so many I can’t even name all of them. It’s a whole different energy. The world still hasn’t even picked up everything that’s going on. Johnny Ca$h.
Because you mentioned Johnny Ca$h and J. Stalin, did you always have an affinity for artists who also sang a little bit?
That’s crazy you said that. For sure, I think so. J. Stalin’s really my boy, he was making music with me when I was like 16 years old. He’s a good dude, a real entrepreneur, made it out the ‘hood, started a business for himself, all kinds of s—. Legendary.
Ever since I was a kid, I loved that singing aspect in rapping. You could switch it up, and it doesn’t have to be the best singing.
I saw a quote recently where someone said, “You don’t even have to be a Whitney Houston-level singer, sometimes there’s beauty in using your own voice.”
It’s an art. It’s natural and it’s coming from the heart. It’s how you sound, so you’re giving the people something that’s yours, versus you’re trying to sound like something and you’re trying to force it to sound perfect. Sometimes those imperfections make you 20x better.
That’s how I feel about my music – a lot of s— I might want to redo, I might have said a word wrong, but that’s how I say it. I’m going to give it to you the way I would give it to you in real life. I just do it for the motherf—rs who rock with me, that live like me, that understand what I’m talking about. If you don’t understand, hey, it wasn’t for you. [Laughs] Numbers, baby.
**What inspired The Great Escape?**
Me and Al, we was in the studio vibing, and the album had a real luxurious feeling. From when “Turkish Cotton” comes, it feels like a movie scene. Al was like, “This is like some Robb Report s—.” I didn’t know what the Robb Report was, so he showed me and it’s like a magazine with Lamborghinis and nice properties and expensive watches.
Then, we saw something that said “The Great Escape,” and it hit me. I escaped all the bulls—; I’m living very peacefully. I escaped the jealousy, the odds that were against us. What we were going for was more like a spy-feel. “Come to the spot, get your back rubbed, come to the Great Escape Ski Resort.”https://www.youtube.com/embed/nA2fkPtxuwU?preload=metadata&enablejsapi=1&cc_load_policy=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1
**How did moving to Malibu and getting the place that was shown in the album’s behind-the-scenes documentary build the world of The Great Escape?**
I pretty much recorded the majority of the songs at home. I’d come to [Al] and we’d escape from the world, get crazy cribs by the coast. We’d vibe, we’d hear some s— and I’d add little pieces in there.
I’m inspired by seeing beautiful things, so I have to go to different places to get inspired while making the music. I went to Mexico City to film a portion of the “Spanish” video, and I’m seeing different architecture and eating all these different kinds of foods, seeing different s—. I started getting interested in Barragán lighting; it creates a different type of lighting in houses naturally. [Laughs] I was learning so much, and I was able to teach it to people who didn’t know it through the music.
It was real natural; nothing was forced. I was just being me and it came out dope, man. I wanted to make sure that I was rapping good enough with the Alchemist on his beats because everybody who works with the Alchemist is amazing. Artists from Roc Marci to Boldy James, Jay Worthy, Curren$y, even go back to Mobb Deep. They set the bar high. Prodigy.
[Alchemist] was like, “No, you got this s—. Stay in your bag. Don’t think about that, just do you.” [Laughs]
How do you approach a Cardo album (Into The Late Night), versus a Harry Fraud album (Keep Going) versus an Alchemist album?
I’ve built a relationship with these producers where we have our own bag. When Cardo sends me beats, he’s not sending me the beats he sends to Drake or whoever, I’m in our bag and I master that bag with each producer.
It’s kind of like a superpower for me. I can cut off my Alchemist bag for two months, not even thinking about that bag at all because the Cardo bag was recharging, so I never run out of raps. I live by the motto: If you do the same s—, you get the same results. The key is never losing yourself. I did an album with Alchemist, but I’m not going to turn into Common. [Laughs]
I was surprised to hear “60 Days” because you’re probably one of the only artists who could get Al to rap. What was that conversation like?
We were really just in the studio vibing. He was jotting down some notes, and I guess he likes to write raps — he doesn’t like to be doing nothing. I looked over and I’m like, “You got something for this?” and he was like, “F— it, I got something,” and he jumped in there and did it.
He didn’t want to use the record [on the album], but I love the record. I love the beat by itself. That’s why I didn’t want to rap too long – eight bars, slight hook, eight bars. The beat is so movie scene-ish. He got on there, it worked out, he didn’t want to drop it, we ended up dropping it first.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kilc54BAaZY?preload=metadata&enablejsapi=1&cc_load_policy=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1
That’s the magic with this record. Every song is consistently great.
You want to give them variety, man, start soft. I drink 35 oranges as soon as I wake up in the morning.
Wait, 35?
Mhm. I might drink 15 green juices, some chlorophyll; you’ve got to stay healthy inside the body. I might take a jog. I’ll rock 35 miles, for no reason.
When did you realize that this is the lifestyle you’ve got to be chasing?
It made me feel better. I used to be going through some s—, so I use taking a walk or a jog to ease my mind and help me think clearer and see different things. I noticed when I started drinking the juices, it was making me feel better. It’s really those peaceful walks. I’ll walk in the rain 35 miles.
That’s something that’s always drawn me to your music. It’s music that you can listen to and aspire to be like.
It’s raw because I come from a completely different world. My grandma had the candy house in the hood – ICEEs, candy, sodas, making nachos for the ‘hood. I’m preaching to my people that you don’t have to do the same thing.
Go get you something healthy, take a walk. Everything ain’t about sitting in the ‘hood and doing the same s— that we come from, that people know us for. It’s cool to do different s—. I’m just an advocate for that. A lot of inspiration from my dad too because he was the first n— in the ‘hood coming out healthy. You’ve got to be thankful for your parents.https://www.youtube.com/embed/unhLEm_LMOE?preload=metadata&enablejsapi=1&cc_load_policy=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1
On “Turkish Cotton,” you even mention”I was just dead broke in 2017.” What changed for you?
The cars got faster. My mindset got better. I started experiencing new things and looking at things from a bigger aspect. I always got that fight in me. I’m always hustling and working because I know it can get ugly; I lived it for the majority of my life. I’m new money. I didn’t come from millions of dollars, I didn’t have nothing passed down to me. I’m breaking a cycle for me and hopefully the next generation of kids that are coming up.
That’s why I talk my s— like, “I bought the ‘Rarri,” but I’m also going to let you know that, “N—, I was broke just like you.” Anybody can do it if I did it. My mom had me at 15 years old. I wasn’t supposed to be doing what I’m doing now, man.
That’s why being healthy is so important because if we’re not healthy, we’re not going to be able to do nothing. It first starts with how you feel and what you put in your body when you wake up, if you have negative people around you; you’ve got to be aware of everything if you want to be successful.
**Now, it’s about legacy. You dropped your first project, Cali Grown, in 2010 and look at you now.**
[When I dropped] Cali Grown, I was hella into smooth, peaceful beats and started doing what I wanted to do and started developing my voice and creating. I had a vision: being a boss, healthy living, being a player — but it can’t get ugly. I was taking my equipment with me everywhere I was going and practicing.
What’s dope is that I could have easily deleted all that stuff from the internet, easily, but I left it up there purposefully to show you I was trash. [Laughs] I do it to show my people that if you keep going, you can be great, you just need to believe in it.
Sock it to ’em, Larry! Now, last but not least, what can happen in 60 days?
In 60 days, a lot can change. If you put time in and really dedicate yourself for 60 days – it can be a week, it can be 30 days, it can be 20 days – if you’re dedicating your time to doing something, it’s going to work. I’ve got a big thing about discipline. A lot can change, for real, you’ve just gotta keep rocking.
