A shocking discovery at a private crematorium in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has sent shockwaves through the border community as investigators uncovered nearly 400 decomposing human bodies stacked inside what appeared to be a residential building.
According to the Daily Mail, authorities found 383 complete human bodies and six partial remains at the site, which is located just across from El Paso, Texas. Some of the bodies had been there for up to four years.
The grim discovery came after an anonymous tip led investigators to the property on Thursday. What they found was a nondescript building that looked more like a home than a crematorium, with stacks of embalmed cadavers inside that had never been properly cremated or buried.
Families Misled About Loved Ones' Remains
The owner, Jose Luis Arellano Cuaron, and an employee are facing charges of improper disposal of bodies. State officials revealed that multiple funeral homes in Ciudad Juarez had been sending bodies to this facility under the assumption they would be properly cremated.
Chihuahua Attorney General Cesar Jauregui confirmed that the facility "constantly received bodies for cremation" but repeatedly misrepresented their services to funeral companies. Instead of cremating the remains, they simply stored the bodies and provided fake ashes to families.
The governor of Chihuahua state condemned the operation as being run by "irresponsible and unscrupulous people who misused these licenses and permits." While the owner had three licenses at one point, their current operational status remains unclear.
Search for Missing Persons Continues
The discovery has sparked hope for closure among families of missing persons in the border region. During recent years, many migrants waiting to enter the US legally have disappeared in the area known for cartel violence.
Local advocacy groups are working with authorities to help identify the remains. Yadira Cortez from the Ciudad Juárez Women's Roundtable Network described the anxiety among families wondering if their loved ones are among those found.
State officials have established a process for concerned families to check if their deceased relatives are among those discovered. They must provide official identification, a description of the burial clothes, and information about which funeral home handled the remains.
Investigation Expands Beyond Border Region
The case has drawn attention from both Mexican and US authorities as they work to determine the full scope of the operation. Initial findings suggest the bodies came from at least six different funeral homes in Ciudad Juarez.
Investigators are checking the remains to rule out any potential homicide victims. The charges against the owner and employee could be expanded depending on what the investigation uncovers.
The facility's abandoned hearse and deteriorating conditions have raised questions about how such an operation could continue for years without detection. Many families paid for cremation services but received fake ashes in return.
