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Remains of Veracruz Teen Missing Since 2012 Identified and Returned to Family

Forensic confirmation followed a mother's recognition of a tattoo in official records.

Overview

  • The Colectivo de Familiares en Búsqueda María Herrera announced the formal handover of Brandon Isaac Hernández Blanco’s remains to his family, who held a wake in Coatzintla.
  • Brandon, 15, was abducted on June 9, 2012 in Coatzintla; days later, 14 bodies showing signs of violence were found in roughly 30 bags inside a pickup in Potrero del Llano, Álamo de Temapache.
  • Those remains were sent to a common grave, and years later authorities conducted scientific comparisons that confirmed Brandon’s identity.
  • The family initially avoided filing a complaint because of threats, with investigative work resuming in 2020 when the Brigada Nacional de Búsqueda pushed for record reviews and exhumations.
  • Organizations accompanying the case say it underscores persistent barriers to truth and justice in Veracruz, and relatives report that one of Brandon’s brothers is still missing.