In Teuchitlan, Jalisco state, Mexico, families are seeking closure as they uncover clothing, shoes, and skeletal remains on a ranch believed to have been used for body disposal. Civilian activists found the mass grave and possible cremation ovens, bringing hope to those searching for loved ones.
Raul Servin, part of a group seeking missing family members for years, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating, "This has given hope to many people looking for their relatives." Individuals have reached out to Servin's group, recognizing items worn by their missing relatives.
The Attorney General's Office has not commented on the case, despite assurances from top prosecutor Alejandro Gertz. The state prosecutor's office in Jalisco aims to release findings in two weeks based on tests conducted on numerous items recovered from the site.
Jalisco, home to the influential Jalisco New Generation Cartel, faces a high rate of missing persons. Virginia Garay, whose son disappeared in 2018, is collaborating with groups from across Mexico to identify lost family members.
Amnesty International's Mexico chief, Edith Olivares, has urged the Mexican government to clarify the situation and allocate resources. She highlighted the absence of state support in addressing forced disappearances and emphasized the crucial role of community groups, mainly led by women, in locating missing individuals.
According to government data, there are over 124,000 missing people in Mexico.