Relatives of journalist and influencer Manuel Alejandro Mora Serna, publicly known as Alex Serna, officially identified his remains at the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo) in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. This process concludes the search efforts that began after his disappearance was reported on June 20.
He was known for publicizing citizen complaints related to environmental damage, fraud, scams, and irregular real estate projects, some of which involved authorities from the Zihuatanejo municipal government, including Mayor Lizette Tapia Castro, “Liz Tapia.”
He was known for disseminating citizen complaints related to environmental damage, fraud, scams, and irregular real estate projects, some of which involved authorities from the Zihuatanejo municipal government, including Mayor Lizette Tapia Castro, “Liz Tapia.”
The victim’s body matches the description of a man found with visible signs of torture on June 22 inside a blue plastic container, abandoned on the side of the Acapulco-Zihuatanejo federal highway, on the stretch connecting the communities of Arroyo Seco and Coyuquilla Norte, within the municipality of Petatlán. The remains were unidentified until the corresponding identification procedures were carried out by relatives.
Hours before the legal confirmation of his death, the Guerrero State Commission for the Search of Missing Persons had formally issued a missing person alert, as nearly two weeks had passed without any news of his whereabouts.
The murder of Alex Serna comes after a period in which the journalist used his digital platforms to denounce irregularities with environmental impact and alleged acts of corruption in the Costa Grande region. In March of this year, Serna publicly shared a series of threatening messages he received through a Facebook account called “Ánimo Ánimo” (Cheer Up, Cheer Up), attributing these threats directly to his journalistic work.
His last online activity, dated the same day as his disappearance, consisted of sharing a video in which he denounced environmental damage caused by a mango dehydration company in the community of La Saladita, in Zihuatanejo. In the video, the activist asserted that the plant was operating outside regulations, pointing to illegal water extraction without the authorization of the National Water Commission (Conagua), as well as the contamination of aquifers and soil; accusations that have not been formally corroborated by the authorities and on which the company has not issued a statement.
The journalist’s murder has provoked widespread outrage and condemnation from civil organizations, family members, and members of the journalistic community in the state, who are demanding a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation from the State Attorney General’s Office to prevent impunity in the case.
A peaceful demonstration has been called for this Saturday in front of the Zihuatanejo City Hall. Journalists and citizens will gather to demand justice for Alex Serna, as well as to call on the State to provide effective security and protection guarantees for the free exercise of freedom of expression and activism in the region.
