The State Attorney General’s Office arrested Joseph “N”—the victim’s partner and the prime suspect in the femicide of Makala Pendley—in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Pendley, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana (USA), was found dead this Monday at the entrance to the municipality of Zinacantán.
During a search operation in the Fátima neighborhood of San Cristóbal de las Casas, authorities located and took into protective custody the victim’s seven minor children (whose identities are being withheld). The children are safe and under official protection while arrangements are made with the U.S. Embassy for family members to take charge of their care.
Joseph “N” is the prime suspect in the femicide and has been placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Attorney General Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca reported that, in coordination with U.S. authorities, it was confirmed the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record and an active arrest warrant in Alaska (USA). He has previously been detained for offenses including assault, robbery, fraud, and illegal weapons possession, as well as intimidation involving threats of bodily harm and rape, among other crimes.
He is also the subject of a search warrant issued by the Indianapolis police regarding the seven minors and the victim, Makala Pendley.
