Background and Context
In Ciudad Juárez, a city in northern Mexico, approximately 386 unprocessed bodies were discovered accumulated in a private crematorium at the end of June. The shocking revelation has sparked outrage and prompted a protest by families of the deceased.
Protest Details
On Saturday, around 100 people gathered to voice their concerns outside the funeral home where the bodies were found. The demonstration was organized by a civil group named “Justicia por Nuestros Deudos,” composed of relatives seeking answers and justice.
The protesters marched from the funeral home to the local attorney’s office, demanding transparency and accountability.
Family Testimonies
- Brisa Agüero: Daughter of Juan Agüero, who passed away from COVID-19 on November 6, 2020. She expressed her demand for justice, stating, “They gave us ashes, but they aren’t his. I demand justice for him.” She also accused the crematorium of providing cement mixed with mortar instead of her father’s remains.
- Claudia Martínez: Daughter of Humberto Martínez, who died on December 17, 2020. She shared her frustration that only 15 bodies have been identified so far. “When I opened the urn of my father, it contained another person’s name,” she recalled. “All I ask is to know where he is.”
Authorities’ Response
Carlos Manuel Salas, the Ciudad Juárez prosecutor, acknowledged that many families are requesting verification of the authenticity and origin of the ashes. He mentioned that some people suspect the crematorium may have mishandled remains or mixed them with others.
Legal Developments
Two individuals—the crematorium owner and an employee—have been charged with crimes related to “improper handling, exhuming, and disrespecting corpses or human remains.” The investigation is ongoing as families continue to seek answers and justice for their loved ones.
