Several of the 383 bodies found in crematorium of Juarez had been there since 2020
At the Plenitud crematorium, located in Ciudad Juarez, there were 383 bodies stacked and in an advanced state of decomposition, as some had been there since 2020
An unbearable smell reported – and ignored – for years was what caused the authorities to discover a horror in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, where a crematorium The Chihuahua State Attorney General's Office deceived grieving families for years, handing over ashes that did not belong to their loved ones, as 383 bodies were found stacked and in an advanced state of decomposition. Some of them had been there since the pandemic, forgotten since 2020.
The Chihuahua State Attorney General's Office reported that it has managed to identify 16 of the 383 bodies found at the "Plenitud" crematorium, located in Ciudad Juárez. The macabre discovery, described as "atrocious" by authorities, has revealed a scheme of alleged criminal negligence and systematic fraud against hundreds of families.
During a press conference, the state attorney general, César Jáuregui Moreno, detailed that the identification process will be long and complicated, as the bodies have undergone thanatological treatment and were stored without adequate refrigeration conditions. "It could take months," the official warned.
Forensic Advances
Javier Sánchez Herrera, director of Forensic Services and Forensic Sciences, explained that 218 men, 149 women, and 16 bodies with undetermined sex have been counted. So far, 15 bodies have been identified with hospital labels, four with distinctive features (tattoos, amputations), one Municipal Police officer in uniform, three possible police officers (in the process of confirmation), two newborns, and two minors: a boy and a girl.
All remains will undergo DNA testing and medical analysis. Chemical treatment makes genetic studies difficult, according to authorities.
The identification process will continue with DNA testing in coordination with the Forensic Medical Service and the University Hospital. The Prosecutor's Office stated that it has access to the files of the funeral homes involved and will work based on the records, without the immediate presence of the families being necessary.
Bodies piled up,Fake urns and foul odors
The discovery occurred last Friday after a citizen reported foul odors. Upon entering the building, Public Ministry agents found embalmed bodies stacked in unsanitary conditions. Some had been there for more than four years.
The investigation revealed that the Plenitud crematorium, despite having valid permits, was not providing the contracted services. Families believed they had received the ashes of their loved ones, but many urns contained fake remains or were empty.
Documents found at the scene link at least six funeral homes in Ciudad Juárez that subcontracted the crematorium's services: Funeraria Luz Divina, Capillas Protecto Deco, Funeraria Del Carmen, Funeraria Ramírez, Funeraria Latinoamericana, and Funeraria Amor Eterno.
The Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether these funeral homes were complicit in the fraud or also victims of the deception. Marcelo Ruiz, president of the Union of Funeral Homes, admitted that some of his members used this service, although they claimed to be unaware of the irregularities.
Arrests and criminal charges
José Luis Arellano Cuarón, the alleged owner of the crematorium, and Facundo Martínez Robledo, an employee, were arrested and face charges of improper burial, crimes against public health, and illegal disposal of corpses. Both remain in pretrial detention.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that the penalties for these crimes could reach up to 16 years in prison.
The crematorium had no electricity or drinking water. The crematorium oven and refrigeration chambers were out of service. Additionally, the last environmental impact assessment expired in March 2023, and it had not been supervised since 2022. Neighbors have reported foul odors and suspicious activity since 2020, including constant columns of smoke and threats from workers. Some reported seeing mice and worms feeding on the remains. Call to Families The State Attorney General's Office urged families who recently hired funeral services and did not receive the remains of their loved ones to go to the state headquarters in Ciudad Juárez. Legal, psychological, and forensic care is also offered. "It is a human tragedy and a systematic deception. It is not just an economic fraud, but an affront to human dignity," said Prosecutor Jáuregui.
The investigation revealed that the Plenitud crematorium, despite having valid permits, was not performing the contracted services. Families believed they had received the ashes of their loved ones, but many urns contained fake remains or were empty.
Documents found at the scene link at least six funeral homes in Ciudad Juárez that subcontracted the crematorium's services: Funeraria Luz Divina, Capillas Protecto Deco, Funeraria Del Carmen, Funeraria Ramírez, Funeraria Latinoamericana, and Funeraria Amor Eterno.
The Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether these funeral homes were accomplices in the fraud or also victims of the deception. Marcelo Ruiz, president of the Union of Funeral Homes, admitted that some of his members used this service, although they claimed to be unaware of the irregularities.
Arrests and criminal charges
José Luis Arellano Cuarón, the alleged owner of the crematorium, and Facundo Martínez Robledo, an employee, were arrested and face charges of improper burial, crimes against public health, and illegal disposal of corpses. Both remain in pretrial detention.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that the penalties for these crimes could reach up to 16 years in prison.
The crematorium had no electricity or drinking water. The crematorium oven and refrigeration chambers were out of service. Additionally, the last environmental impact assessment expired in March 2023, and it had not been supervised since 2022. Neighbors have reported foul odors and suspicious activity since 2020, including constant columns of smoke and threats from workers. Some reported seeing mice and worms feeding on the remains. Call to Families The State Attorney General's Office urged families who recently hired funeral services and did not receive the remains of their loved ones to go to the state headquarters in Ciudad Juárez. Legal, psychological, and forensic care is also offered. "It is a human tragedy and a systematic deception. It is not just an economic fraud, but an affront to human dignity," said Prosecutor Jáuregui.
The investigation revealed that the Plenitud crematorium, despite having valid permits, was not performing the contracted services. Families believed they had received the ashes of their loved ones, but many urns contained fake remains or were empty.
Documents found at the scene link at least six funeral homes in Ciudad Juárez that subcontracted the crematorium's services: Funeraria Luz Divina, Capillas Protecto Deco, Funeraria Del Carmen, Funeraria Ramírez, Funeraria Latinoamericana, and Funeraria Amor Eterno.
The Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether these funeral homes were accomplices in the fraud or also victims of the deception. Marcelo Ruiz, president of the Union of Funeral Homes, admitted that some of his members used this service, although they claimed to be unaware of the irregularities.
Arrests and criminal charges
José Luis Arellano Cuarón, the alleged owner of the crematorium, and Facundo Martínez Robledo, an employee, were arrested and face charges of improper burial, crimes against public health, and illegal disposal of corpses. Both remain in pretrial detention.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that the penalties for these crimes could reach up to 16 years in prison.
The crematorium had no electricity or drinking water. The crematorium oven and refrigeration chambers were out of service. Additionally, the last environmental impact assessment expired in March 2023, and it had not been supervised since 2022. Neighbors have reported foul odors and suspicious activity since 2020, including constant columns of smoke and threats from workers. Some reported seeing mice and worms feeding on the remains. Call to Families The State Attorney General's Office urged families who recently hired funeral services and did not receive the remains of their loved ones to go to the state headquarters in Ciudad Juárez. Legal, psychological, and forensic care is also offered. "It is a human tragedy and a systematic deception. It is not just an economic fraud, but an affront to human dignity," said Prosecutor Jáuregui.
The Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether these funeral homes were complicit in the fraud or also victims of deception. Marcelo Ruiz, president of the Union of Funeral Homes, admitted that some of his members used this service, although they claimed to be unaware of the irregularities.
Arrests and criminal charges
José Luis Arellano Cuarón, alleged owner of the crematorium, and Facundo Martínez Robledo, an employee, were arrested and face charges of improper burial, crimes against public health, and illegal disposal of corpses. Both remain in pretrial detention.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that the penalties for these crimes could reach up to 16 years in prison.
The crematorium did not have electricity or drinking water. The crematorium oven and refrigeration chambers were out of service. Additionally, the last environmental impact assessment expired in March 2023, and it had not been supervised since 2022. Neighbors have reported foul odors and suspicious activity since 2020, including constant columns of smoke and threats from workers. Some reported seeing mice and worms feeding on the remains. Call to Families The State Attorney General's Office urged families who recently hired funeral services and did not receive the remains of their loved ones to go to the state headquarters in Ciudad Juárez. Legal, psychological, and forensic care is also offered. "It is a human tragedy and a systematic deception. It is not just an economic fraud, but an affront to human dignity," said Prosecutor Jáuregui.
The Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether these funeral homes were complicit in the fraud or also victims of deception. Marcelo Ruiz, president of the Union of Funeral Homes, admitted that some of his members used this service, although they claimed to be unaware of the irregularities.
Arrests and criminal charges
José Luis Arellano Cuarón, alleged owner of the crematorium, and Facundo Martínez Robledo, an employee, were arrested and face charges of improper burial, crimes against public health, and illegal disposal of corpses. Both remain in pretrial detention.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that the penalties for these crimes could reach up to 16 years in prison.
The crematorium did not have electricity or drinking water. The crematorium oven and refrigeration chambers were out of service. Additionally, the last environmental impact assessment expired in March 2023, and it had not been supervised since 2022. Neighbors have reported foul odors and suspicious activity since 2020, including constant columns of smoke and threats from workers. Some reported seeing mice and worms feeding on the remains. Call to Families The State Attorney General's Office urged families who recently hired funeral services and did not receive the remains of their loved ones to go to the state headquarters in Ciudad Juárez. Legal, psychological, and forensic care is also offered. "It is a human tragedy and a systematic deception. It is not just an economic fraud, but an affront to human dignity," said Prosecutor Jáuregui.
Call to Families
The State Attorney General's Office urged families who recently hired funeral services and did not receive the remains of their loved ones to go to the state headquarters in Ciudad Juárez. Legal, psychological, and forensic care is also offered.
"This is a human tragedy and a systematic deception. This is not just an economic fraud, but an affront to human dignity," declared Prosecutor Jáuregui.