Body of Missing Priest Bertoldo Pantaleón Estrada Found in Guerrero, Homicide Investigation Launched

Discovery and Investigation

The body of Father Bertoldo Pantaleón Estrada, a 58-year-old Catholic priest, was discovered on Monday, October 6, in the municipality of Eduardo Neri, within Mexico's southern state of Guerrero. Authorities have confirmed the finding and initiated a homicide investigation into his death. Father Pantaleón Estrada had been reported missing since Saturday, October 4, after he was last seen in the town of Atzala. His body was found on the Mexico-Acapulco highway, approximately an hour north of Chilpancingo.

The Guerrero State Attorney General's Office announced the launch of the investigation, though specific details regarding the circumstances of his death or potential suspects have not yet been released. The Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, which had reported his disappearance and requested search protocols, confirmed the identification of the body late Monday.

About Father Bertoldo Pantaleón Estrada

Father Bertoldo Pantaleón Estrada served as the parish priest at San Cristóbal Parish in Mezcala, a small community also located in the municipality of Eduardo Neri. He had been in charge of the parish for eight years. The community had actively participated in the search for the missing priest. The Mexican Episcopal Conference expressed profound sorrow over his death and called for a 'prompt, exhaustive, and transparent investigation' to clarify the crime and bring those responsible to justice.

Context of Violence Against Clergy in Mexico

The death of Father Pantaleón Estrada underscores the severe risks faced by religious figures in Mexico, particularly in regions like Guerrero, which are plagued by high levels of violence and organized crime. Mexico is considered one of the most dangerous countries in Latin America for members of the clergy. Priests and other religious leaders are frequently targeted due to their involvement in human rights advocacy and their presence in communities affected by criminal groups.

According to the Catholic Multimedia Center, 10 priests were killed in Mexico between 2019 and 2024. Furthermore, the organization has recorded 80 priests and seminarians killed since 1990, with Guerrero identified as the state with the highest number of such cases. The violence against clergy reflects the broader struggle for territorial control among rival cartel factions in various parts of the country.