‘We Want an Answer’: Fears Grow That Their Relatives Are Among Hundreds of Bodies Found at Mexican Crematorium

NewsBlog

4 Jul 2025 - 23:12 WIB

Families in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, are urgently seeking answers following the shocking discovery of 383 bodies stored for extended periods—some for years—inside a crematorium. The incident has sparked distress among locals, many of whom now fear that their deceased loved ones may be among the unidentified remains.

I. Public Outcry Following the Discovery

1. Families Demand Transparency

Norma Guardado Meraz was one of the numerous residents who visited the Chihuahua Prosecutor’s Office to obtain updates on the ongoing investigation. Her concern stems from the possibility that her late mother’s remains may be among those found abandoned at the crematorium.

2. Crematorium Suspected of Neglect

Authorities uncovered the remains on June 26 after municipal police discovered a hearse carrying two bodies, along with many other corpses stacked in a room within the crematorium’s courtyard. Prosecutor César Jáuregui indicated the remains had been accumulating since 2020, implying that the Plenitud crematorium had failed to fulfill services it was contracted to carry out by six different funeral homes.

II. Grieving Families Left in Limbo

1. Doubts Over Ashes Received

Guardado Meraz and her family are now questioning whether the ashes they received actually belong to her mother, María Nieves Meraz, who passed away three years ago. Her funeral was arranged by one of the funeral homes tied to the crematorium.

2. Growing Concerns Among Residents

Another resident, Javier Ramírez, approached the prosecutor’s office to confirm the identity of the ashes he received, which were said to be those of his father, who died two months earlier. His funeral arrangements were also managed by one of the implicated homes.

3. Lack of Clear Communication

According to Ramírez, the families are being told only that updates will be provided later, without a clear timeline. “They tell us they’ll notify us once they know something, but they don’t say when that will be,” he told CNN.

III. Legal and Investigative Actions Underway

1. Arrests Have Been Made

Authorities have taken the crematorium’s owner and his assistant into custody in relation to the case. Their court hearing was scheduled for Friday. CNN is currently attempting to contact their legal representatives to understand how they plan to respond to the charges.

2. Demographics of the Deceased

As per official statements, the 383 bodies included 218 men, 149 women, and 16 individuals whose gender could not be determined.

3. Prosecutor’s Office Urges Action

The Chihuahua Prosecutor’s Office has pledged to conduct a full investigation into the matter and is urging more families who suspect wrongdoing to come forward with their concerns. CNN is still awaiting responses regarding how many formal complaints have been filed.

Conclusion
The tragic discovery in Ciudad Juárez has left many families in anguish, not only mourning their loved ones but also battling uncertainty about whether the remains they received are authentic. As authorities pursue legal and investigative avenues, grieving relatives remain in limbo, desperate for answers and accountability from those responsible.

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