Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – A tragic ending to a mysterious disappearance, Rubén Michel Castro Guízar, a notable figure within the LGBTIQ and deaf communities of Puerto Vallarta, was found deceased on Monday. The grim discovery was made ten days after the 32-year-old’s sudden disappearance following his participation in a local pride march.
The deaf activist, unable to speak or hear, was last seen on May 25 attending the march. His subsequent disappearance sparked widespread concern among the LGBTIQ and deaf communities, who feared for his safety and campaigned fervently for his location.
Rubén Michel’s remains were found in a fenced-off area with a cyclonic mesh door on March 18th Street, in the October 12th neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. Disturbingly, he was found half buried, only two houses away from where he lived, leading to immediate speculation that the body could be the missing activist. Bloodstains were later discovered in a bedroom of his home, further deepening the mystery surrounding his disappearance and death.
The tragic news was confirmed by the Coordination of Attention to Gender Diversity and Vulnerable Groups after the deceased’s family was informed. “We regret to inform that Bacilia Guízar Contreras, mother of Michel Castro Guízar, and Juan, Michel’s partner, have seen the photographs of the body found this day. With deep pain, they recognized the physical features, particular signs, and clothing that match those of Michel,” they announced.
The body’s identifying features included particular details of the teeth, fingers, and toes, as well as a decomposed face with a possible deep wound, according to the Coordination.
The State Prosecutor’s Office, thus far, has refrained from speculating on a motive for the crime. The delay has prompted criticism from Michel’s mother, Bacilia Guízar Contreras, who previously accused the state agency of inefficiency regarding its efforts to locate her son.
This distressing event has sent shockwaves throughout the local and national LGBTIQ community and beyond, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers and discrimination many of these individuals continue to face. Calls for justice for Rubén Michel Castro Guízar are resonating loudly, as community members and allies demand a thorough and expedited investigation into this appalling crime.
