Nine Students Dismembered in Oaxaca, Gang Leader Found Dead.
The discovery of nine dismembered students near a Mexican highway has shocked the country. According to reports, the students were allegedly lured to Oaxaca by a former mayoral candidate turned gang leader, José “El Jocha” Lavariega, who encouraged them to commit petty crimes. However, their lives ended violently, and Lavariega was later found dead under mysterious circumstances.
The Grisly Discovery
The remains of the nine victims were found in an abandoned vehicle near the border between Puebla and Oaxaca last week. The bodies, which included both men and women ages 19 to 30, showed signs of extreme violence, including bullet wounds and torture. A particularly gruesome detail emerged: a bag containing eight pairs of hands was discovered at the scene, further emphasizing the brutality of the killings.
The victims, who had traveled to Oaxaca from Tlaxcala for a vacation, were reported missing on February 27, 2025. Their tragic end unfolded after they allegedly agreed to commit petty robberies in the region, under the direction of Lavariega, who had invited them to the area.
The Role of José “El Jocha” Lavariega
José “El Jocha” Lavariega, a former mayoral candidate turned gang leader, is believed to have been the person who initially convinced the students to travel to Oaxaca. According to an official from the prosecutor’s office, Lavariega reportedly gave the students the go-ahead to commit petty crimes like robberies. It is suggested that these actions may have led to their deaths.
The official further speculated that the students’ robberies could have provoked retaliation from a local Oaxacan gang, known for controlling the area and its drug trade. This gang is said to have a strict "no robbery" policy, particularly in areas where they conduct their drug trafficking business with tourists.
A Rival Gang’s Revenge?
Oaxaca is home to a powerful criminal group involved in the sale of drugs to tourists. According to officials, this group has a business model that prioritizes drug dealing and actively discourages robbery, which harms the local population. The gang likely saw the students’ alleged crimes as a violation of this code, and their violent deaths may have been a response to these activities.
Lavariega's Death: A Link to the Students' Murders?
In a strange twist, José “El Jocha” Lavariega was found dead in his car in Oaxaca just days after the students' remains were discovered. Local outlets reported that a note was found beside his body reading, “This is what you get for being a thief.” While authorities have not officially connected his death to the students' murders, his violent end suggests that Lavariega may have been targeted by a rival gang or faction within the criminal world.
The note, which calls out Lavariega as a “thief,” further strengthens the theory that his involvement in illicit activities—such as encouraging robberies—led to his demise. Whether his death was directly related to the students' killings remains unclear, but it may signify the ongoing gang violence and territorial conflicts in the region.
Victims Identified, Investigation Ongoing
The nine victims have been identified as:
- Angie Lizeth Perez Garcia
- Lesly Noya Trejo
- Brenda Mariel Salas Moya
- Jacqueline Ailet Meza Cazares
- Noemi Yamileth Lopez Moratilla
- Raul Emmanuel Gonzalez Lozano
- Ruben Antonio
- Rolando Armando
A ninth victim remains unidentified.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murders, and further details may emerge as the investigation progresses.
Conclusion: The Deadly Toll of Gang Violence
This horrific case highlights the brutal reality of gang violence in Mexico. The students’ deaths were allegedly tied to petty crimes and rival gang dynamics, revealing the risks involved in criminal activities—especially in regions controlled by powerful cartels and local gangs.
The ongoing investigation will likely uncover more about the motivations behind these killings. In the meantime, the case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by organized crime in Mexico and the tragic consequences it can have for both the innocent and those who get caught in the crossfire.
Key Takeaways:
- Nine students from Tlaxcala were allegedly lured to Oaxaca by a gang leader, José “El Jocha” Lavariega.
- The victims were found dismembered near the Puebla-Oaxaca border, with signs of torture and gunshot wounds.
- Lavariega, who encouraged the students to commit petty crimes, was found dead under suspicious circumstances, with a note accusing him of being a thief.
- Authorities are investigating whether the murders were retaliation from a local gang in Oaxaca involved in drug trafficking.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
