Mexican Authorities Recover Two Bodies Linked to Killing Of Mayor In Public Square

State authorities in Michoacán, Mexico, are investigating the killing of a 16-year-old teenager who, may be linked to the murder of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, in early November, according to new reports.

The teen's body was found alongside another individual allegedly involved in Manzo's murder. Both were discovered on the Uruapan-Paracho highway in the municipality of Capácuaro on Nov. 11, eight days after authorities identified Víctor Manuel Ubaldo Vidales as the main suspect in the killing.

Carlos Torres Piña, head of the Michoacán Attorney General's Office, said the case is one of several lines of investigation being pursued by forensic experts to clarify the events. Torres Piña also identified one of the bodies as Fernando Josué 'N,' who showed signs of violence, while the second body has not yet been identified.

The teenager was identified after his family went to the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo) to recover his body.

According to Infobae México, Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla told reporters that the two individuals found dead in Capácuaro were believed to have been with Vidales during the attack on Manzo.

"These are the two people who were found dead in Capácuaro. One of them was 16 years old, and this information was confirmed with Secretary of Security Omar García Harfuch," the governor said.

Ramírez Bedolla also addressed the circumstances of Vidales' death and the ongoing review of the mayor's security team's use of force.

"The investigation is also looking into why the suspect was shot after being detained. There was a struggle, and a single shot killed him. That is still under review," he said.

The governor confirmed that Manzo had eight personal bodyguards and 14 National Guard personnel assigned to his protection.

Vidales, a native of Paracho and used a 9-millimeter pistol in the attack, was restrained by the mayor's security team and shot seconds later by one of the bodyguards, an event now under investigation by the Michoacán Attorney General's Office.

Piña said Manzo's killing may be linked to conflicts between the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Los Viagras cartel, both of which have a strong presence in the area.