Thread: TX-Bodies Found

Bodies found

Border-crossing deaths are up this year

By NICK GEORGIOU
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 3:22 AM CDT

Border-crossing deaths are on the rise in Webb County, authorities said Monday.

Between Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, and March 31, the Laredo Sector Border Patrol reported 11 border-crossing deaths.

That's three more than the total reported for fiscal year 2008.

And since Thursday, Webb County authorities have recovered the bodies of four more illegal immigrants, which brings this fiscal year's count to 15 border-crossing deaths.

"I don't know why they are coming across so quickly now.

We're way ahead of where we were last year with border crossing deaths," said Dr. Corinne Stern, Webb County medical examiner.

Of the four recently discovered bodies, two drowned while trying to swim across the Rio Grande, while another possibly died from a rattlesnake bite, Stern said.

Each was found in a different part of Webb County, and none has been positively identified.

The most recent discovery occurred Monday when authorities found the body of a man north of the Colombia Solidarity Bridge off FM 1472.

Stern, who will conduct an autopsy on the man today, said it appeared he died from a heatstroke.

"Last year, we had more cases of heat stroke and dehydration," she said.

"In 2007, we had more drownings than heat stroke because it was a cool summer."

Also, Stern said that on March 30, authorities recovered partial skeletal remains near a San Isidro cement plant off FM 1472.

The remains are believed to be that of a border crosser who probably died from heatstroke, she said.

While dehydration, heatstroke and drowning in the Rio Grande are common ways for border crossers to perish, dying from a snake bite is unusual.

"Obviously he didn't have medical care," Stern said.

"He was wearing low cut tennis shoes, and it appears (the snake) bit him right on the ankle, right above the tennis shoe."

The man's body was found Friday afternoon, just outside Mirando City off Texas 359.

He had a Mexican driver's license and is believed to have been about 28 years old.

"Hopefully we'll positively identify him," Stern said, adding that she expects to receive his autopsy results soon.

As for the drowning victims, one was found Thursday near downtown's El Portal Center.

He was described as being in his 30s.

Stern said she was able to get his fingerprints but that he has yet to be identified.

The other drowning happened Friday in El Cenizo.

"He had not been in the water very long. But he has some unique dental work," Stern said.

"So hopefully someone will recognize him."

Eloy Vega, Laredo Fire Department spokesman, said EMS has recovered three bodies from the Rio Grande so far this year.

In 2008, they recovered five bodies.

(Nick Georgiou may be reached at 728-2582 or nickg@lmtonline.com)

http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2009/ ... 336930.txt

I don't know why they are coming across so quickly now.

Here's a clue - they want to be here when Obama declares amnesty.

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

I don't know why they are coming across so quickly now.

Here's a clue - they want to be here when Obama declares amnesty.

Exactly right! The Latin governments have probably announced that Obama will give them all kinds of freebies so go as fast as you can across the border