Hacked-Up Remains Of 27 People Found In Mass Grave Miles From US-Mexico Border

[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]

An anonymous tip led authorities in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas to a “clandestine burial ground” area in which more than two-dozen bodies were found cut up into pieces and parts.

The bodies, which authorities believe number at least 27 people in total, were mostly hacked into multiple pieces. The mass grave was found in a rural area of the city of Reynosa, Mexico, only about four miles south of the US border.

According to multiple media reports, the bodies were found by a volunteer “colectivo” making the rounds around Reynosa late last week. Those “colectivo” groups are made up of relatives of people who have disappeared and now spend their time searching for their missing loved ones.

This particular mass grave was first uncovered late this past week. According to multiple media reports, the Tamaulipas Attorney General’s Office quickly opened an investigation into the site. Forensic experts were sent there by state authorities, and for the past several days, they have been doing excavations, cataloging remains, and trying to log and secure evidence.

Per People and other outlets, officials at the site released a statement indicating that they believe there to be more than two dozen different corpses and parts of bodies at the gravesite:

“There could be 27 skeletons, for which the work will continue until the forensic specialists in human identification carry out the necessary laboratory studies for their identification, in accordance with international standards in the Protocols of Human Identification.”

According to CBS News, volunteers who are helping at the site are now trying to distinguish between identifying characteristics like tattoos on parts and “chunks” of skin. At least four bodies have already been positively identified by loved ones who were searching for lost family members.

However, because most of the bodies were “dismembered into half a dozen pieces,” identification of many of the other bodies has been very difficult or nearly impossible.

That it happened so close to the American border has suggested to authorities the deaths may be related to drug cartel and/or human trafficking activities. Sadly, mass graves like this one found in Reynosa are not uncommon along the border. Cartels and gangs typically leave victims’ bodies buried in mass graves in rural areas to send messages to rival cartels, the Mexican government, and the Mexican people.

In fact, these tragedies are so common across Mexican border towns that in 2022, officials believed there to be upwards of 100,000 “disappeared and missing” people across the entire nation. At least 13,000 of them were thought to be from the state of Tamaulipas, per CBS News. The state of Jalisco has logged more than 15,000 missing persons cases to lead the nation in that awful category.

Here is more on this awful case and the ensuing investigation that has come from it (below):

Wow.

Such a terrible story. And it’s seriously such a terrible and tragic ongoing situation down south of the border.

We send our condolences to the family members of those lost as authorities try to somehow identify the deceased and return more remains to their families.

If you’re experiencing emotional distress related to incidents of mass violence, you can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or visit their website at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline for more resources.

[Image via WISH-TV/YouTube]