Missing Man, Hector Mejia, Found Dead in Succotz

A grim discovery along the Mopan River shocked San Jose Succotz this morning. Thirty‑five‑year‑old Hector Mejia, who villagers had been searching for overnight, was found dead just hours after the village chairman appealed for help. Mejia was last seen on Sunday in Benque Viejo, drinking with friends. By Monday night, when he failed to return home, concern grew. Village Chairman Armando Cocom took to social media, urging anyone with information to speak up. Then, in an unexpected twist, Cocom himself found Mejia’s body. Around eight this morning, during a routine taxi run, he spotted something on the riverbank, and realized it was the man the entire village had been looking for. This afternoon, Mejia’s brother shared how the family is coping with the sudden loss.

 

Orvin Mejia, Brother of Deceased

“I don’t really understand. Right now it just shocked us and the family. I wish he was still alive, but right now I am very sad. It shocked us.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What details have you received?”

 

Orvin Mejia

“I have not received any details. I received that he was having a good time with friends and then he went missing. So thanks to the mayor, the alcalde from the village he helped me out and I really appreciate the people that helped to look for him. At least we found his complete body and we will see what we can do now. Like I said too, Hector was a good person. He never had problems with no one. He was always friendly. He always do his drumming. He liked to sing and always did his art. I don’t think anyone would try to hurt him but sometimes you have bad mind people too. But I will see, but we are still waiting for the autopsy from the doctor. Right now the police say they are waiting for the autopsy and we will see what we can do. The incident is a bit rare. They said somebody could have hurt him or her could have drowned. We don’t have any specific details as yet.”

 

Investigators say that no injuries were identified on Mejia’s body.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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