SEAPAL transparency chief found dead on private land south of Puerto Vallarta, family pre-identified the body by clothing and features as authorities probe the circumstances of his disappearance and death.
José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, head of Transparency for the Puerto Vallarta Drinking Water, Drainage and Sewerage System (SEAPAL), who vanished on June 30 around 3 p.m., was discovered dead this Wednesday on private land near his home. Family members “pre-identified” his body by matching his clothing and physical features, the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office reported.
Velázquez Rodríguez had served in his role for three years, overseeing public access to SEAPAL documents and ensuring compliance with open-government standards. He was last seen near the cemetery in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. His sudden disappearance triggered a local search that lasted several days.
Authorities found the body in the La Pechuga area, a wooded stretch south of the port city, on private property with dense vegetation. Investigators noted the remains showed signs of decomposition, indicating he had been dead for several days. Forensic experts are conducting further tests to confirm identity and establish time and cause of death.
The Jalisco Attorney General’s Office opened an inquiry into both the disappearance and the death of the SEAPAL official. Investigators are gathering CCTV footage, phone records and witness statements to reconstruct his last movements. “We are committed to uncovering the truth behind his disappearance and ensuring those responsible face justice,” a spokesperson said.
Velázquez Rodríguez’s death follows another high-profile killing within the same agency. On October 21, 2022, Salvador Llamas Urbina, then-director of SEAPAL and a national advisor for the MORENA party, was shot dead at a restaurant in Guadalajara’s Lomas de Providencia neighborhood. Llamas Urbina, who had been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor of Jalisco, died alongside two other men during a violent confrontation.
At the time, federal authorities noted striking similarities between that attack and the December 18, 2020, assassination of former governor Aristóteles Sandoval Díaz in Puerto Vallarta, suggesting possible involvement of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel. While no group has claimed responsibility for either killing, analysts warn that cartel violence remains a persistent threat to public officials in the region.
Local officials have faced mounting security challenges as organized-crime groups assert control over strategic territories and infrastructure. Experts say attacks on water and sewage authorities could aim to intimidate officials or disrupt public services as cartels seek to expand influence.
Residents of Puerto Vallarta have expressed shock and concern over the recent killing. “He was well-respected for promoting transparency,” said a neighbor who requested anonymity. “We hope authorities act quickly and provide answers.”
For now, the Attorney General’s Office is leading the investigation, with support from state and federal forensic teams. Ballistic reports, toxicology results and a full autopsy will clarify whether the death resulted from foul play and pinpoint the timeline.
As the probe continues, SEAPAL has named an interim head of Transparency to maintain operations. The agency has pledged full cooperation with prosecutors and called on citizens to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation.
