Overview
- Authorities found the body of 30‑year‑old Makala Pendley in Zinacantán, Chiapas, with prosecutors saying the death resulted from traumatic brain injury caused by blunt‑force trauma.
- Chiapas prosecutors arrested a man identified as Joseph “N” and described him as the primary suspect, saying he has an alleged U.S. criminal history and that they will seek the maximum 100‑year sentence for femicide.
- All seven of Pendley’s children, ages 1 to 12, have been located in Mexico, are reported to be in good health, and are under the protection of Mexican authorities while officials coordinate their return to U.S. relatives.
- Pendley and the children were first reported missing from Indianapolis in late February and were located in Mexico last month, when Mexican authorities briefly took custody of the children before returning them to Pendley.
- Mexican prosecutors and the U.S. Embassy are coordinating repatriation of the children and Pendley’s remains while investigators complete forensic identification and prepare criminal proceedings that could involve U.S. law‑enforcement cooperation.