A same-sex couple from Chicago who lived in Mexico City before disappearing in May were found dead in a mass grave along with the bodies of two others.
U.S. nationals Zafar Padamsi Mawani, 56, and Guillermo Japhet Hidalgo Ortiz, 56, moved to Mexico City from Chicago in October and settled in the south end of the capital, Ortiz’s niece told the Chicago ABC affiliate. WLS-TV.
The men were reportedly scheduled to pick up Mawani’s elderly mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, in a lift on May 20, but then disappeared without a trace. The seller had asked the couple to meet at Mawani’s mother’s home, where a chairlift was installed, to complete the purchase. Before the men lost contact, share Real-time location information with friends.
Investigators reported Abnormal withdrawals from the couple’s bank account.
On June 17, Mexican authorities discovered the bodies of Mawani and Ortiz in a wooded mass grave on the grounds of La Marquesa in Ocoyoacac. suburbs of Mexico City. Human limbs were also found nearby.
The other victims are believed to be a couple aged 56 and 38, but their identities have not been released.
Mawani’s family announced the couple’s identities on June 24.
“Words cannot express our gratitude to all those who tried to help Zafar return home, to the investigators at the scene, to our core strategy and support team, to the authorities in both countries, to the generous volunteer organizations, and to the friends and loved ones who offered their help unsolicited,” the family said in a statement.
“It was really bad because so many people go missing in Mexico every day,” said Maggie Reynoso, a friend who used to style Ortiz. CBS News About the death of a man. Reynoso said the couple “went everywhere in very flamboyant attire, even though we told them to be safe.”
“Guillermo…doesn’t think he’s going to harm anyone,” she said. “The person who did this has no heart.”
Police arrested five people in Mexico City in connection with the murder, including a former police officer identified as Yesenia V, who authorities say led a kidnapping and robbery ring, Mexico City said. infobae.
The other four suspects, Adan N., Selena N., Jesús N. and Daniel N., were found to be in possession of high-powered weapons, ammunition, bags of drugs and a black suitcase at the time of their arrest, authorities said.
Police also arrested two Venezuelan nationals, Gabriel M. and Roberic, on suspicion of being involved in the disappearances of Mawani and Ortiz.
Mexico City prosecutors have not released details of charges related to the killing. This was announced by the US Embassy in Mexico. Associated Press The company was aware of the incident but declined to provide additional information.
a gofundme A fund has been set up for Mawani’s family seeking $50,000 to cover costs related to the investigation and criminal case, burial costs, travel expenses related to the couple’s disappearance, and care for Mawani’s mother.
More than 135,000 people are missing in Mexico due to criminal violence. Despite the murders, the number of missing persons has increased by more than 200% over the past decade. fell It was 40% under President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has pledged more support for the country’s missing persons search efforts.
Approximately 22,000 missing people were found alive last year, the highest number of people recovered alive in a single year. new york times.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
