The body of Reverend Ernesto Baltazar Hernández Vilchis, a Catholic priest who had been missing for several days, has been found under disturbing circumstances. His remains were discovered wrapped tightly in black plastic bags, bound to an armchair and discarded in a drainage canal that flows near one of Mexico’s major airports.
Reverend Vilchis, aged 40, disappeared on October 27 in Tultepec, a municipality located just north of Mexico City. His disappearance immediately raised concern among parishioners and church authorities. According to officials, he vanished without leaving behind any clues, prompting widespread searches across the region.
On Wednesday, rescue teams searching an area close to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport came across a grim sight. The priest’s body, already in an advanced state of decomposition, had become stuck in a small mound of earth within the drainage canal. The discovery followed several days of coordinated search efforts involving local authorities, volunteers and church representatives.
Forensic experts later confirmed that the remains belonged to Reverend Vilchis. Investigators reported that the body had been carefully wrapped in layers of plastic and secured to an armchair before being dumped in the canal. The unusual method suggested deliberate concealment and has led authorities to believe that the killing was planned.
Reverend Vilchis had only recently been assigned to serve in Tultepec and was last seen in the community of Ampliación La Piedad, where he had been carrying out pastoral duties. When he failed to return, the Diocese responsible for his assignment immediately filed a missing person report. They urged authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation.
The priest had served in several parishes throughout his career, gaining a reputation for humility, dedication and a calm pastoral presence. Parishioners from his former communities described him as approachable, compassionate and deeply committed to his faith. His sudden disappearance and tragic death have left many in shock.
Law enforcement officials have now opened a homicide investigation. They have promised a thorough inquiry and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. However, authorities have not yet identified any suspects or confirmed a motive for the killing. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility.
Although the perpetrators remain unknown, observers note that priests in Mexico have increasingly become targets of violence. Organised criminal networks, especially drug cartels, have occasionally clashed with members of the clergy who speak out against injustice, offer assistance to victims or refuse to cooperate with criminal demands.
Last month, another priest was found dead in the mountainous region of Guerrero, one of Mexico’s most violence prone states. The Catholic Multimedia Centre, a group that tracks attacks on clergy, reported that ten priests were killed in Mexico between 2019 and 2024. Analysts say these numbers reflect a broader climate of insecurity affecting religious figures, journalists, politicians and civil society leaders.
Violence against public officials has also intensified. Earlier in November, Carlos Manzo, the outspoken mayor of Uruapan, was assassinated by two gunmen while celebrating the Day of the Dead with local residents. The forty year old mayor had gained national attention for his fiery stance against cartels operating in the avocado producing region of Michoacán. He had openly declared that criminal groups should be confronted with force and had repeatedly criticised government efforts as too weak.
In response to his killing, President Sheinbaum issued a strongly worded statement condemning the assassination and offering condolences to his family and the people of Uruapan. She described the attack as a vile act and pledged federal support for the investigation.
The death of Reverend Vilchis has added to growing concerns about security across Mexico. Religious leaders, human rights groups and local residents are calling for stronger protections and a more coordinated national response to the rising wave of violence.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the priest’s disappearance or death to come forward. For now, the community of Tultepec, along with the broader Catholic community, is mourning the loss of a priest remembered for his service, kindness and dedication to the people he served.
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