Mexico — Nine Dismembered Bodies Discovered in Abandoned Vehicle
On March 2, 2025, local authorities discovered the dismembered remains of four women and five men inside an abandoned vehicle along a highway in San José Miahuatlán, located on the border of the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca. The victims, aged between 19 and 30, were found with signs of torture and multiple bullet wounds. Four bodies were located in the trunk, while five were beneath a blood-stained tarp. Alongside the remains, authorities uncovered a bag containing eight pairs of severed hands, underscoring the brutality of the crime.
Among the victims was Jacqueline Ailet Meza, who had disappeared on February 28 while vacationing in Huatulco. Two other victims were identified through their ID cards found at the scene: Angie Lizeth Perez Garcia and Leslie N.T., both reported missing from Oaxaca. The other victims were identified as Rubén Ramos, Rolando Evaristo, Uriel Calva, Raúl González, Noemí López, and Lesly Noya.
Reports suggest that the supposed victims were students, hailing from Tlaxcala, who were allegedly lured to the region by José “El Jocha” Lavariega, a known gang leader and former mayoral candidate. Lavariega purportedly encouraged the students to commit robberies in Oaxaca. Authorities believe a local Oaxacan gang, whose operations focus on drug dealing to tourists, may have retaliated against the students to protect their business interests, which avoid robberies to safeguard ordinary citizens.
The victims were allegedly part of a ‘Los Brujos’ cell called ‘Los Zacapoaxtlas’ and are accused of stealing $19,000 from a man at a Santander Bank in Santa Cruz Huatulco on February 14. Then, on February 17, they nearly stole an ATM in downtown Huatulco and tried to rob a business at a shopping center. According to a source, these incidents increased tensions in the area, prompting the local Oaxaca gang to take action in response.
Brenda Mariel N., one of the two survivors of a brutal attack, recounted the harrowing incident, explaining that she and another victim, Jacqueline Ailet, had just left a hostel when they were stopped by what appeared to be a local police vehicle. Both Brenda and Jacqueline Ailet were beaten and had hoods placed over their heads before being separated. Brenda was ultimately abandoned on the road near Puebla and managed to make her way to the nearby city where she reported the crime. Sadly, Jacqueline and eight others were murdered in the attack. The investigation is ongoing, with local authorities exploring potential police involvement, and as of now, no arrests have been made.
On March 3, State Attorney General Idamis Pastor Betancourt said at a press conference that she could share with the public no new information regarding the victims or the events that took place prior to the discovery.
“There are lines of investigation, but I cannot reveal them due to confidentiality,” she said. “All relevant investigations are being carried out. When we have a response and the investigation is complete, we will be in a position to provide more information.”
The incident has heightened concerns regarding the safety of tourists and locals in regions affected by organized crime. This tragic event underscores the pervasive violence inflicted by the cartels and criminal organizations in Mexico, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address and mitigate such atrocities from happening in the future.
