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 / Modified nov 5, 2019 3:53 p.m.

Rocky Point searchers threatened by armed group

The group was told to leave while searching for more bodies following the recent discovery of dozens of bodies. by Murphy Woodhouse, Fronteras Desk

madres buscadoras VIEW LARGER The Madres Buscadoras de Sonora have been unearthing numerous human remains near Rocky Point in October 2019.
Courtesy Madres Buscadores de Sonora via Fronteras Desk

The volunteers who made the alarming discovery of dozens of bodies on the outskirts of Rocky Point said an armed group threatened them over the weekend.

The Madres Buscadoras de Sonora — or Sonoran Searching Mothers — were looking for additional bodies near the original site Sunday. That’s when they say a sizable group of armed men threatened them, telling them to leave immediately.

“We thought they wanted to kill us, but they didn’t harm us,” said Ceci Patricia Flores, the group’s leader. “They told us it was the only warning, and there wasn’t going to be another. The next time they weren’t even going to think about it.”

As a result, Flores says the group will no longer search in the area.

The state attorney general’s office is investigating the matter.

Later that day, state officials found four more bodies, with more searching planned. That brings the official total to 46 remains confirmed.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
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