Quintana Roo Official Found Dead with Signs of Torture in Chetumal

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Carlos Alberto Hernández Gorocica, a Quintana Roo state government official, was found dead with signs of torture in an informal settlement in Chetumal, authorities announced Friday.

Hernández Gorocica, who worked as an analyst for the Quintana Roo Council of Humanities, Science and Technology, was last seen Wednesday afternoon leaving the Chetumal planetarium. Family members reported him missing that same day, prompting the State Prosecutor’s Office to issue a missing persons alert.

On Friday morning, human remains were discovered inside a taped black bag at the entrance to the Mártires Antorchistas informal settlement on the outskirts of Chetumal. Authorities later confirmed the body was that of the state official.

Witnesses reported the victim showed signs of extreme violence characteristic of organized crime. According to some accounts, Hernández Gorocica also worked nights as a driver for a digital platform service.

The Quintana Roo Prosecutor’s Office has opened a homicide investigation into the public servant’s death.

Hernández Gorocica was a cousin of Maricarmen Candelaria Hernández Solís, the mayor of Felipe Carrillo Puerto municipality from the Morena party. In 2022, he attempted to run for local deputy with the Citizens’ Movement party.

Political figures across party lines expressed condolences following news of the killing. Mayor Candelaria referred to her cousin as “a brother,” while José Luis Pech Várguez, a local deputy and former Citizens’ Movement gubernatorial candidate, called the incident “painful and shocking” on social media.

Other local members of the orange party joined calls for justice for Hernández Gorocica.