Authorities in Mexico’s Guanajuato state have uncovered the dismembered remains of 31 individuals in an abandoned house near Irapuato, prosecutors announced on Monday, August 4, 2025. Initially, officials had reported the number of bodies as 32, but after extensive investigation, it was determined that the correct number is 31. The remains were found inside plastic bags buried in a shallow grave on the premises, located about 160 miles north of Mexico City.
The Guanajuato prosecutor’s office stated that through extensive forensic processes, 15 victims have been positively identified. The remains, found during a search for missing individuals, were described as being in a fragmented condition, complicating identification efforts.
Members of a collective called Hasta encontrarte (translated:” Until I find you”) visited the site on Monday. One woman, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told reporters, “We hope to find our loved ones.” She noted their desire to be present when mass graves are discovered, after years of uncertainty about their missing family members.
This incident reflects a trend of violence in the area. In May, 17 bodies were discovered in a different abandoned house in the same city. The region has also seen recent mass violence, such as a shooting in June that resulted in 11 deaths and around 20 injuries at a neighborhood party in Irapuato.
Guanajuato has become Mexico’s most violent state due to territorial conflicts among organized crime groups. Much of this violence is linked to battles between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of Mexico’s leading criminal organizations.
Official statistics highlight the extent of violence in the state. Guanajuato reported over 3,100 murders in 2024, accounting for 10.5 percent of all homicides in Mexico and making it the deadliest among the country’s 32 states. From January to July this year, more than 1,500 homicides have been recorded, per the prosecutor’s office data.
The state leads in missing persons cases as well, with about 3,600 disappearances reported out of over 120,000 cases nationwide. The Mexican government’s current count of missing persons approaches 132,000 individuals across the country.
Despite being a bustling industrial hub and featuring several tourist destinations in central Mexico, Guanajuato continues to face escalating violence. Recent events include the shooting of a local official during a basketball game in July and several deadly conflicts 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, leaving 10 suspects dead and three police officers injured.
This discovery comes less than two months after another mass shooting in Irapuato left 12 people dead. Organized crime groups frequently use secret graves to dispose of victims, a practice that has become more common with increasing territorial conflicts.
The Trump administration has designated the Jalisco New Generation cartel as a foreign terrorist organization due to its role 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, impacting residents and visitors alike.
Authorities are continuing to work on identifying the remaining 16 victims found at the site. The intricate forensic efforts needed to identify the fragmented remains highlight the severity of the violence in the region and the challenges faced by families searching for missing relatives.
The 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.
