Mexico Mom Burned to Death May Not Have Been Killed by Angry Neighbors, Prosecutors Say

By Rick Martin First Posted: Jul 27, 2022 05:46 AM EDT

A mom of an autistic boy, who was allegedly burned to death after she reported threats from her neighbors, had sparked outrage in Mexico. However, prosecutors from Jalisco state suggested on Tuesday that it may not be the neighbors' fault at all.

There have been a series of brutal killings of women in Mexico that prosecutors have yet to solve, and the death of Luz Raquel Padilla, the mother of an autistic boy, was among them.

Padilla had requested a restraining order against a neighbor last May. She complained about her neighbor's threats and vandalizing 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 neighbor's behavior, such as playing loud music, which she claimed had affected her son's health. According to the Associated Press, neighbors were angry over the loud noises her son made.

Mexico: Protests Following Luz Raquel Padilla's Death

A judge has granted the Mexican mom's request for the restraining order. She died while under supposed protection which fueled the public's anger.

According to authorities, Luz Raquel Padilla was doused in alcohol by three men and a woman and set alight on July 16, suffering burns on 90 percent of her body.

Witnesses described the four suspects launching the attack against Padilla in a park in Zapopan. The suspects fled the scene while Padilla was brought to a hospital, where she died.

Several activist groups in Mexico decried Padilla's death, heavily criticizing the police for their inaction. They were supposed to protect her after she filed the report and got the restraining order.

After her death, several women staged a protest outside the Zapopan police station, where she made the report. Police have detained a man believed to be connected to her death. WION reported that he was the neighbor believed to have written the threatening message.

This same neighbor was also the one who had been complaining about her autistic son's shouting. The case also got the attention of Jalisco state governor Enrique Alfaro, who said they are now investigating it as possible femicide. Mexico is recently experiencing a rise in femicide cases.

Security Footage of Mexican Mom's Neighbor Reveals Alarming Evidence

Jalisco state's chief prosecutor, Luis Mendez Ruiz, suggested on Tuesday that Luz Raquel Padilla might have burned herself.

Mendez Ruiz said security footage showed that Padilla had brought two bottles of alcohol and a lighter at shops near the park, where she was found burned.

Mendez Ruiz noted that he did not want to "re-victimize or criminalize anybody" but said the person detained also has rights. Authorities also said there was no evidence that the detained man was anywhere near where the Mexican mom was burned.

The mother of the detained man also came forward to authorities to present more evidence of her son's innocence. Mendez Ruiz said the mother gave them security footage of Padilla setting paper on fire outside her own door.

Another clip showed Padilla trying to change the angle of her neighbor's camera to hide the stairway where the threatening message was written. Following her son's arrest, Mendez Ruiz said the suspect's mother has been receiving threats.

Gender-based violence has been on the rise in Mexico lately. Feminist groups have been staging protests in order to call authorities to action.

Crime rates in Mexico also remain high, despite President Andres Manuel López Obrador's claims that they are making progress in bringing down the country's high homicide rates.

According to the Associated Press, the homicide rate for men declined to 50 per 100,000 people this year, as compared to last year with 52 per 100,000. However, the homicide rates for women remained unchanged, at about 6 per 100,000.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Tras Feminicidio De Luz Raquel Padilla, Vecinos Se Sienten Inseguros - From NMAS