I am from Laredo, Texas, just across the border from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. From what the police reports indicate, they were initially treating this case as a missing person’s matter. However, the fact that there was blood all over the place and a missing mattress indicates to me that, unfortunately, there may be homicide involved. The caretaker of the house is missing so the police do suspect this man of having something to do with the priest’s disappearance. The Mexican police is not exactly known for its great forensics. I believe that law enforcement agencies from the United States, particularly from my county, have offered assistance.
During tonight’s newscast, they ran a breaking news story that the body of a man had been found beneath a mattress. It was off to the side of a road. The Mexican authorities believe that it might be that of the missing priest. However, the family needs to identify him.
You have, no doubt, seen and heard the stories about violence along the Mexico border. This particular violence has subsided in Nuevo Laredo for quite some time now. Unfortunately, Fr. Euresti happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. He also placed his trust in the wrong person.
When I have had to go to Nuevo Laredo, I only go to public areas and in daylight. Luckily, our downtown and their downtown are linked by a vehicular/pedestrian bridge and whatever I need is just three blocks into Mexico.
The reason why I say all of this is because the incident happened on the Mexican side of the border, not in Laredo. For our part, our community is fairly safe. Please do not let what happened scare any of you from coming down for a visit.
We are keeping Fr. Euresti and his familiy, and his diocesan family, in our prayers.
