Chiapas prosecutors allege revenge drove the killings of Miriam Cruz Alpuche and her granddaughter Ariana; a separate investigation examines a suspect’s killing by a crowd.
Chiapas prosecutors say personal revenge motivated the killings of Miriam Cruz Alpuche and her 12-year-old granddaughter, Ariana, in Ostuacán. Their findings also distinguish the alleged roles of two suspects who were later dragged from municipal custody by a crowd. One was killed; the other survived.
Attorney General Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca identified Armando “N,” known as “El Melo,” as the alleged planner and Andrés “N,” known as “El Cera,” as the alleged direct perpetrator. Prosecutors allege that the men followed the victims to the place where they were killed and then fled. Neither man’s alleged responsibility was established at trial.
Llaven Abarca attributed the alleged revenge motive to Armando. An unnamed security source linked the dispute to cattle, although the prosecutor’s public explanation does not specify what prompted it.
Miriam and Ariana disappeared on October 19 after leaving for family land in Tanchichal to tend cattle. Miriam’s body was found beside a stream on October 21. Ariana was found in the same community two days later, following searches involving relatives, residents and emergency personnel.
Prosecutors said forensic examinations determined that Miriam died from blood loss caused by sharp-force injuries to her neck. Ariana died from strangulation; examinations also documented head injuries and evidence of sexual assault. Both deaths are being investigated as feminicides.
The investigation led to the detention of Armando and Andrés, who were taken to holding cells at Ostuacán’s municipal headquarters. According to reports, a crowd forced its way into the building at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday and removed both men. Andrés was killed in the attack. Security forces rescued Armando with injuries and took him for medical treatment; the prosecutor described his condition as stable.
Authorities are now pursuing two separate investigations: the killings of Miriam and Ariana, and Andrés’ homicide while he was in the crowd’s hands. Prosecutors are continuing to prepare the feminicide case against Armando. Llaven Abarca said his office would seek a 100-year prison sentence, a request that would ultimately require a conviction and a judge’s ruling.
