The search for two young people who had been reported missing ended tragically in the western area of Hermosillo, Sonora. The couple’s bodies were found in the back seat of a private vehicle; initial investigations suggest that a fatal oversight led to fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
The victims were officially identified by authorities as Damaris Jaqueline and Jhonatan Zahid. Both had been desperately sought by their families, who days earlier had asked the public and search groups for assistance after losing all contact with them.
Personnel from the Sonora State Attorney General’s Office (FGJE) arrived at the scene to process the vehicle containing the bodies. According to the report from the Department of Forensic Services, the young people’s remains showed an advanced state of decomposition due to the time elapsed and the region’s extreme ambient temperatures. However, specialists preliminarily confirmed that the bodies showed no signs of physical violence or weapon-inflicted wounds.
During the technical inspection of the vehicle, forensic experts detected key mechanical details that support the accident hypothesis:
The vehicle’s ignition switch was in the “on” position with the keys inserted.
The air conditioning system was set to maximum capacity (level four).
The vehicle’s battery was found to be completely dead.
Forensic analysis suggests the engine remained running for hours while the vehicle was stationary, causing lethal exhaust gases to back up and accumulate inside the cabin, leading to the occupants losing consciousness and subsequently dying.
Personal belongings such as handbags, wallets, cell phones, and official identification documents were recovered from inside the car; these items allowed for the immediate confirmation of the deceased individuals’ identities.
Additionally, the State Attorney General’s Office reported that a plastic bag containing dried green plant matter—with characteristics resembling marijuana—was found on the front seat; the item was secured as evidence and added to the investigation file.
Finally, investigative authorities stated that the physical evidence and the state of the clothing found inside the vehicle suggest the couple was engaged in an intimate moment before falling asleep with the engine running. This line of inquiry is being analyzed in detail through the requisite autopsies to fully clarify the facts and conclusively rule out any criminal activity.
