Mexico Mom's Brutal Death Prompts Protests | She Was Set on Fire

By Joshua Summers First Posted: Jul 22, 2022 12:52 AM EDT

The brutal death of a mom in Mexico prompted demonstrations in front of a police station on Thursday. She was reportedly set on fire.

According to France 24, dozens of women gathered at the police station in Zapopan after Luz Raquel Padilla, 35, met her demise in the hands of four people in Jalisco state.

The demonstrators in the police station accused the authorities of inaction and indifference. Among the protester was the Insurgent Women's Network, composed of caregivers for people with special needs.

Guadalupe Ortega, a 62-year-old member of the group, demanded justice for Padilla and her son, who is an autistic child. Padilla is part of the group.

Ortega noted that authorities in Mexico should be "more sensitive" to women like Padilla and the grieving relatives. UN Women Mexico issued a statement following Padilla's gruesome death.

"We condemn the murder of #care activist Luz Raquel Padilla in #Jalisco, as well as any form of violence against people who defend women's human rights and fight against gender-based violence," the group tweeted.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also commented on Padilla's brutal death, claiming that her demise reflected a "loss of values" promoted before he took office. The president added that it was a "dehumanizing" scenario that "produces hatred, grudges and frustration."

Mexico Mom Set On Fire

Luz Raquel Padilla was doused in alcohol by three men and a woman and set alight on Saturday, suffering burns on 90 percent of her body, according to authorities.

Prosecutor Luis Joaquin Mendez said witnesses had described the four suspects launching the attack against Padilla in a park in Zapopan, BBC reported. The suspects fled the scene while Padilla was brought to a hospital, where she died on Tuesday.

According to reports, Padilla also experienced abuse from her ex-partner, and her autistic child is 11 years old. Mendez said Padilla's neighbor, Sergio Ismael "N," was arrested for making threats, causing injuries, and crimes against a person's dignity in connection with previous incidents.

Prosecutors said he had not been charged with femicide yet as witnesses said he was not present at the time of the attack.

In May, Luz Raquel Padilla complained about her neighbor's threats and vandalizing of the walls of the building where they lived with messages including "I'm going to burn you alive."

The Mexican mom also complained about the man's behavior, such as listening to loud music, which she claimed had affected her son's health.

Mendez said investigators were following all leads, and Padilla's son was being taken care of by his aunt and grandmother.

Femicide in Mexico

The murder of a woman or a female is considered femicide when one of the several criteria is met. These criteria include sexual violence before the victim's death, a trusting or sentimental relationship with the suspect, or the victim's body displayed in public.

According to Vision of Humanity, the cases of femicide in Mexico have risen significantly in recent years. In 2021 alone, 1,004 died of femicide. This number marked a 135% increase in cases from 427 victims in 2015.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

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