Nine bodies have been discovered dumped on a highway road after seven young people went missing from a tourist hotspot in Mexico last month.
The group lost contact with their families between February 27 and 28 after travelling from Tlaxcala to spend some time in the popular tourist destination of Oaxaca, known for its lush beaches.
Eight people, believed to be students, initially were reported missing, named as Angie Lizeth, 29, Brenda Mariel, 19, Jacqueline Ailet Meza, 23, Noemi Yamileth, 28, Lesly Noya Trejo, 21, Raul Emmanuel González, 28, Ruben Antonio Ramos, 22, and Rolando Armando Evaristo, 22.
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While Brenda Mariel was found alive in Puebla, according to the Oaxaca Prosecutor’s Office, the case appears to have taken a grisly turn after nine bodies were found dumped on a highway on the border with Puebla.
Puebla’s Secretary of Security Francisco Sánchez said (as reported by El Pais): "There are indications that some [of the] bodies are probably from people there [Tlaxcala], but we have to wait."
The car where the bodies were discovered had Tlaxcala plates, while ID for Angie Lizeth and Lesly Noya Trejo was discovered in the vehicle.
Remains from four of the bodies were found inside the trunk of a deserted car in San Jose Miahuatlan, while the other five were discovered in the vehicle under a bloodstained tarp.
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All of the bodies had been tortured and found with bullet wounds.
Each individual's hands had also been removed and were placed in a separate bag in the trunk, sitting alongside the bodies.
Periodico Central reports a Volkswagen Vento with the bodies was discovered on March 2 along the Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway, which sees plenty of vehicles pass along it every single day.
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No suspects have been named in connection with the killings as of yet, as authorities in Puebla collaborate with those in Tlaxcala and Oaxaca to try and catch the killers.
Idamis Pastor Betancourt, who is the head of Puebla's State Attorney General's Office, said in a press conference on Monday (March 3): "So far I cannot offer information. There are lines of investigation, but I cannot reveal them due to confidentiality.
"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."
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The investigation remains ongoing.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
Callum Jones