Mexico City Prosecutors Downplay Severity of Suspected Serial Killer Case

This Thusday, April 25, in Mexico City, authorities sought to diminish the severity of the case involving a suspected serial killer. The individual in question was found to have kept women’s bones and a saw in his room and apparently targeted women over the span of more than a decade. However, the City’s head prosecutor emphasized that the remains of six women were discovered in the suspect's rented room, refuting claims of 20 victims. It was clarified that only three of the crimes occurred during the present administration, dating back to 2012, 2015 and 2018 respectively. This suggests that the perpetrator remained at large for at least 12 years. Reports alleging that all the crimes took place in 2023 and 2024 were denounced as false and unfounded.

Authorities also pointed out that the purported killer showed no signs of violent or aggressive behavior in his daily life, making it difficult to anticipate or prevent his actions. Despite a search of the suspect’s rented rooms last week yielding bloodstains, bones, a saw, cellphones, missing women’s ID cards and other biological material, specific details regarding the remains found were not disclosed by the authorities.

Identification of the Suspect

It is important to note that under Mexican law, the suspect can only be identified by his first name, “Miguel.” Local media reports have indicated that he worked as a chemist. Moreover, the authorities stated that five of the ID cards found belonged to women who have been located alive, but did not specify how many belonged to women who are still missing or among the deceased. Additionally, a series of notebooks believed to contain narrations of the acts carried out against his victims were discovered among the suspect's possessions last week.

The arrest of the suspect took place only after he broke into a neighbor's apartment to perpetrate an attack. He was interrupted and fled the scene, leaving behind a surviving witness. The suspect apparently waited for a woman to briefly leave her apartment, then rushed in and sexually abused and strangled her 17-year-old daughter. Subsequently, the mother returned, encountering the suspect as he was leaving, resulting in an altercation where she was injured. The mother survived, but her daughter tragically did not. Due to the suspect's proximity to the crime scene, he was swiftly identified and apprehended. He has since been held over for trial on charges of murder and attempted murder, both related to his latest victims.

Historical Context

This incident is not isolated, as it has been highlighted that without proper funding, training, or professionalism, authorities in Mexico City have repeatedly failed to apprehend criminals in a timely manner, often waiting until the significant loss of life occurs. Notable cases have included a serial killer in a Mexico City suburb back in 2021 who was only captured after years of alleged crimes, and a similar instance in 2018 where a different serial killer was caught pushing a dismembered body down the street in a baby carriage.