WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Police are investigating after two sacks containing eight human heads were found in a park with a chilling note reading, in what authorities believe is gang-related violence
A chilling discovery of two sacks containing eight human heads has sparked a police investigation in Ecuador, South America. The gruesome find was made in the canton of Naranjal, located in the central Guayas province.
The severed heads were discovered at kilometre 66, accompanied by a sinister three-word note reading “No stealing allowed”, according to Guayas Police Commander Colonel Marcelo Castillo.
The leading theory behind this macabre discovery, as suggested by the officer, is a violent clash “between criminal groups”.
The on-duty prosecutor has since ordered the remains to be moved to the morgue in Naranjal for further forensic examination to determine the identities of the deceased.
In light of the grim find, the police have launched a murder investigation, with the conflict between local gangs serving as an initial lead.
As reported by Extra, the victims, whose heads were found, are believed to be males aged between 16 and 22. Seven out of the eight victims have been identified so far.
The identified victims include Luis Jhonny Zambrano Macías, 22, Anthony Silvano Mendoza Quiroz, 22, Limber Yancarlos Romero Baren, 21, Josué Gregorio Romero Reyes, 19, Kelvin Efraín Mendoza Meza, 18, Édison Rodolfo Mera Macías, 18, and Cristopher, 16. The identity of the eighth victim remains unknown.
Family members of the identified victims have reportedly refused to speak about the incident, whilst the canton’s forensic doctor Fidel Penaranda stated the heads were likely severed around 60 hours prior to their discovery.
Local residents have also been reacting to the grim find, with restaurant owner Welleginton Roman revealing it had brought their Carnival celebrations to a complete halt.
They said: “These deaths have brought our entire holiday to a standstill; nobody is coming to celebrate like in other years.”
Sara Mota added that the discovery had diminished people’s willingness to venture out after dark, explaining: “We’re having a holiday without any visitors. The news of these gruesome crimes has kept everyone away. We haven’t sold any of the crab rice dishes and soups, so we’ve donated them to charities.”
As the National Police and the Prosecutor’s Office deploy special units from the National Directorate of Specialised Investigations to examine the case, the horrifying discovery contributes to an alarming pattern across Ecuador.
The finding of these eight heads brings the total discovered in Ecuador to 13, following five heads found hanging in the neighbouring coastal province of Manabi on January 11, reports Latercera. Those five heads were discovered on the popular tourist beach of Puerto Lopez.
