Authorities in Guanajuato state, Mexico, have discovered the dismembered remains of 31 individuals in an abandoned house near Irapuato, prosecutors announced on Monday, August 4, 2025. Initially, officials reported 32 bodies, but after an extensive investigation, they confirmed the total is 31. The remains were located in plastic bags buried in a shallow grave about 200 miles northwest of Mexico City, Mexico.
Local reporting indicated that 25 of the victims had been positively identified as of August 6 through detailed forensic processes.” The fragmented state of the remains, found during a search for missing persons, had complicated identification efforts.
Members of the collective Hasta encontrarte, meaning “Until I find you,” visited the site on Monday. One woman, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said, “We hope to find our loved ones.” She emphasized their desire to be present at the discovery of mass graves, after years of uncertainty about their missing family members.
This incident highlights ongoing violence in the region. In May, 17 bodies were discovered in another abandoned house in the same city. The area has also witnessed recent mass violence, including a shooting in June that resulted in 11 deaths and about 20 injuries at a neighborhood party in Irapuato, Mexico.
Guanajuato has become Mexico’s most violent state due to territorial disputes among organized crime groups. Much of this violence is related to conflicts between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, a major criminal organization in Mexico.
Official data underscores the extent of violence in the state. Guanajuato reported over 3,100 murders in 2024, representing 10.5 percent of all homicides in Mexico, making it the deadliest of the country’s 32 states. From January to July this year, more than 1,500 homicides have been recorded, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The state also leads in missing persons cases, with around 3,600 disappearances reported out of over 120,000 cases nationwide. The Mexican government’s current count of missing persons is approaching 132,000 individuals across the country.
Despite being a thriving industrial hub and hosting several tourist destinations in central Mexico, Guanajuato continues to grapple with escalating violence. Recent incidents include the shooting of a local official during a basketball game in July and various deadly confrontations throughout the year.
In May, an attack attributed to the Santa Rosa de Lima gang resulted in seven deaths, including children, with banners left at the scene. In February, eight people were shot dead on the street, while January saw security forces engage with gunmen, resulting in 10 suspects dead and three police officers injured.
This discovery occurred less than two months after another mass shooting in Irapuato left 12 people dead. Organized crime groups often use secret graves to dispose of victims, a practice that has become more prevalent with increasing territorial conflicts.
The Trump administration has designated the Jalisco New Generation cartel as a foreign terrorist organization due to its involvement in drug trafficking and violence. The ongoing conflict between this group and local gangs like Santa Rosa de Lima has turned Guanajuato into a conflict zone, affecting residents and visitors alike.
Authorities continue to work on identifying the remaining victims found at the site. The complex forensic efforts required to identify the fragmented remains underscore the severity of the violence in the region and the challenges faced by families searching for missing relatives.
This discovery adds to the growing evidence of systematic violence in Guanajuato, where criminal organizations operate largely unchecked despite government efforts to restore stability. The state’s dual role as both an economic center and a hub of criminal activity presents ongoing challenges for law enforcement and residents.
