The discovery of a missing priest’s body has been made in a canal, where he was found wrapped in plastic and secured to a chair.
Reverend Ernesto Baltazar Hernández Vilchis, aged 40, disappeared without a trace in Tultepec, situated just north of Mexico City, on October 27. His remains were located in a drainage canal near Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
Search and rescue teams conducted thorough searches in the area, eventually locating the remains, which were in an advanced state of decomposition. Following the recovery of the body, forensic experts positively identified it as that of Rev. Vilchis.
According to reports from Mexican network Telediario, the body was wrapped in black bags and attached to an armchair before becoming lodged in a small pile of earth within the canal.
Rev. Vilchis had recently been assigned to the Tultepec area and was last seen in Ampliación La Piedad. Subsequent to his disappearance, the Diocese officially reported him missing to the authorities.
He had previously served in various churches before his posting in Tultepec. Authorities are actively investigating his death and are committed to apprehending those responsible.
Though the perpetrators remain unidentified, it is noted that priests in Mexico have been targets of criminal organizations. In a recent incident, another priest’s body was discovered in the mountains of Guerrero state.
The Catholic Multimedia Centre, which monitors attacks on priests, reported that between 2019 and 2024, 10 priests were killed in Mexico. Violence against public figures has been a documented issue in the country.
In a separate incident earlier this month, Mayor Carlos Manzo, aged 40, from Uruapan, was fatally shot by two armed individuals while celebrating the Day of the Dead with the public. The mayor was known for his tough stance against cartels, advocating for forceful measures to combat criminal networks in the region.
President Sheinbaum issued a strong condemnation following Mayor Manzo’s assassination, expressing condolences to his family and the people of Uruapan for their loss.
