A mob in Ostuacán, Chiapas State, Mexico, has lynched and decapitated a man who had been arrested over the murder and rape of a grandmother and her 12-year-old granddaughter. The attack took place as police prepared to transfer the two suspects to the state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Residents intercepted the officers, kidnapped the men, and launched a brutal attack on one of them, killing him. Andrés ‘N’, known as ‘El Cera’, died in the vigilante attack, while Armando ‘N’, nicknamed ‘El Melo’, was injured and taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Victims found after disappearance
The incident followed the disappearance of Miriam Cruz Alpuche, 55, and her granddaughter, 12-year-old Ariana Scarlett Velázquez Cruz, on October 19. The pair had travelled to a family ranch in the Tanchichal area to tend to livestock but failed to return home, prompting worried family members to raise the alarm.
Police were called, and Miriam’s body was found on October 21, while Ariana was discovered dead two days later after an extensive search involving relatives, residents, and authorities. Post-mortem examinations found that Miriam died from severe blood loss caused by an injury to major blood vessels in her neck. Ariana died by strangulation and had suffered a severe head injury, while investigators also reported signs of sexual assault.
Arrests and mob attack
Authorities announced the arrests of the two suspects on Saturday (Oct 24). But residents lynched them before they could be transferred to the state capital.
Chiapas prosecutor Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca said investigators believed the double killing had been motivated by personal revenge. He said the suspects had allegedly followed the victims to the place where the crimes were committed before fleeing. The prosecutor also confirmed that a separate investigation had been opened into Andrés’ death during the mob attack.
Legal proceedings and appeal for calm
The authorities intend to pursue the case against the surviving suspect, with prosecutors seeking the maximum penalty of 100 years in prison. Chiapas governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar urged residents to leave justice to the authorities, warning: “The justice taken into your own hands does not bring us peace and can cause more pain and consequences for innocent people.”
The investigation continues.
