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Today in History: Mexican police find 49 dismembered bodies

5/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On the early morning of 13 May 2012, Mexican authorities found 49 mutilated bodies along Federal Highway 40 near Cadereyta Jiménez, Nuevo León. Los Zetas cartel members had decapitated, dismembered and bagged the victims—43 men and six women—who were believed to be Gulf Cartel affiliates or U.S.-bound migrants.

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Story summary

On the early morning of 13 May 2012, Mexican authorities found 49 mutilated bodies along Federal Highway 40 near Cadereyta Jiménez, Nuevo León. Los Zetas cartel members had decapitated, dismembered and bagged the victims—43 men and six women—who were believed to be Gulf Cartel affiliates or U.S.-bound migrants.