Missing Mexican Band Feared Dead in Tamaulipas
Authorities in Tamaulipas, northeastern Mexico, have made a grim discovery during the search for a missing local band. Five bodies were found and are believed to be those of the musicians who had been feared kidnapped.
Disappearance in Reynosa
The band members, aged between 20 and 40, disappeared after last being seen at a bar in the city of Reynosa, which is close to the US border. Relatives reported receiving ransom demands after their disappearance, according to AFP.
Grim Discovery
State officials confirmed the discovery on Thursday. "Investigations led to an area where five bodies were located," officials stated via social media. The remains are thought to match the "preliminary characteristics" of the missing members of the band Fugitivo.
Family Concerns
The band had reportedly been hired for a concert, but family members said the location turned out to be a deserted lot. Loved ones have staged protests, urging officials to intervene more swiftly. "We've been receiving extortion calls," said the sister of one of the missing musicians, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns.
Tamaulipas: A Dangerous Region
Tamaulipas is one of Mexico's most dangerous regions, plagued by criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, people smuggling, and extortion. Musicians in the country have previously been targeted by cartels who pay them to sing about their exploits.
Since 2006, criminal violence in Mexico has claimed over 480,000 lives and left around 120,000 people missing.
