The Unraveling of Justice: Plenitud Crematorium Owner Released, Leaving 195 Bodies Unidentified
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico – A federal judge’s decision to release José Luis A. C., the owner of Crematorio Plenitud in Ciudad Juárez, has ignited a firestorm of indignation among families still grappling with the discovery of 386 uncremated bodies at the facility. The ruling, issued on February 14, 2026, by district judge Luis Eduardo Rivas Martínez, effectively frees the sole individual previously detained in connection with the horrific case, leaving no one in custody for the alleged mishandling of human remains.
This development comes nearly eight months after the initial discovery, and with 195 bodies still awaiting identification, the affected families are left in a state of profound despair and disbelief. Their cries for justice resonated outside the Judicial Power building, where they gathered to protest what they perceive as a systemic failure to hold those responsible accountable.
A System Protecting the Perpetrators?
In an interview with La Silla Rota, the grieving families denounced a legal system that, in their view, has allowed the only implicated individual to regain his freedom, while they remain without answers or closure. They also vehemently demanded the resignation of the Northern Zone Prosecutor, Carlos Manuel Salas, whom they accuse of having granted the appeal that led to the owner’s release. Allegations suggest that José Luis A. C., a U.S. national, is now seeking refuge in El Paso, Texas.
“These are not numbers; they are fathers, mothers, siblings, sons, and daughters, with names and memories that deserve respect and justice,” they declared during their protest, highlighting the profound human cost of this ongoing tragedy.
Indignation and the Demand for Victim Recognition
A communiqué released by the families on February 17 underscored their belief that the judicial resolution sends a dangerous message of protection to those who commit heinous crimes, further eroding trust in public institutions. They reiterated that Ciudad Juárez not only endures constant violence but also the unsettling uncertainty that even after death, dignity can be denied.
During the protest, members of the group “Memoria, Dignidad y Justicia” submitted a formal petition to Juan Daniel Delgadillo Martínez, magistrate of the Collegiate Court of Appeals. Martínez, while admitting a lack of in-depth knowledge of the Crematorio Plenitud case, acknowledged having reviewed some journalistic reports. He estimated that due to a backlog of cases, their complaints and demands might be addressed in approximately three months. His statements, which suggested the judge who granted the injunction “could have made a mistake” but emphasized adherence to procedural times, only deepened the families’ distress, who reminded him that they are direct victims of judicial decisions and that the passage of time only amplifies their pain.
Eight Months of Waiting, 195 Bodies Without Names
“We are tired, we are scared, and I don’t know where my dad is,” expressed Manuela, one of the affected individuals, encapsulating the pervasive anguish. Nearly eight months after the grim discovery, 195 bodies remain unidentified. Concurrently, numerous complaints have been filed with the Attorney General’s Office for crimes such as fraud, improper burial, and illegal exhumation.
Olivia Aguirre, the legal representative for some of the families, explained that federal involvement was limited to forensic identification, not criminal investigation, which has significantly hampered the judicial process. Aguirre has assisted four families in filing complaints with the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Forced Disappearance Crimes (FEIDDF), seeking investigations not only into private individuals but also various authorities, including the State Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks, and departments of Urban Development, Ecology, and Economic Regulation.
The Horrific Discovery
The nightmare began on June 26, 2025, when residents of Granjas Polo Gamboa street alerted municipal police to persistent foul odors emanating from a crematorium that appeared to operate formally. Inside, authorities found 386 uncremated bodies, piled high, unidentified, unrefrigerated, and in an advanced state of decomposition. The facility had continued to receive bodies from various funeral homes and charged for cremation services without actually performing them. Data from the Forensic Medical Service indicates that some remains dated back to 2021.
To this day, families remain unaware of the whereabouts of their loved ones’ remains. Although a clothing catalog was created to aid identification, they consider the process to be excessively slow. With no additional federal support and now no one in prison, they live in fear of reprisals for speaking out. The demand is clear: truth, full identification, and justice. Because, as they reiterate, these are not numbers; they are people.
Our questions remain unanswered:
- Why has the sole individual detained in this case been released, leaving no one accountable for the alleged crimes?
- What measures are being taken to expedite the identification of the remaining 195 bodies?
- Will there be a comprehensive investigation into the alleged negligence and corruption within government agencies responsible for oversight?
- What assurances can be given to the affected families that they will receive justice and that such a tragedy will not recur?
What’s next?
The families continue their fight for justice, vowing to pursue all legal avenues available. Their powerful plea for recognition and accountability serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and integrity in both public and private sectors.
If you have any information regarding irregularities at Crematorio Plenitud or similar cases, please contact us at: 📧 [email protected]
Your identity will be protected. We guarantee complete anonymity.
Source: Investigative journalism, documents obtained through freedom of information requests, anonymous witness testimonies, data from the Attorney General’s Office of Chihuahua, analysis of 386 administrative decisions.
Source: https://lasillarota.com/estados/2026/2/20/liberan-dueno-de-crematorio-plenitud-en-ciudad-juarez-195-cuerpos-siguen-sin-identificar-587111.html
