Two American women, aged 72 and 82, were killed in Mexico on Friday morning when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle. Their bodies were discovered in a white Nissan Pathfinder that had overturned around 10:30 a.m., according to the Sonora attorney general’s office.
The women, who were Arizona residents but originally from Caborca, Sonora, were found after authorities conducted a search that also led to the discovery of a stolen Ford F-150 believed to be linked to the suspects.
The truck, found abandoned in Quitovac, contained four guns, a large amount of ammunition, and bulletproof vests.
While the motive for the attack remains unclear, Sonora has experienced significant cartel violence in recent years. The U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths and is monitoring the situation closely.
This tragic incident is part of a broader pattern of violence in Sonora.
In June 2023, Gabriel Trujillo, a PhD student from California, was found dead in an SUV in Sonora with seven bullet wounds after going missing during a research trip. His body was located 62 miles from his Airbnb.
In May 2024, American tourist Carter Rhoad and two Australian brothers were found dead in a 50-foot well in Baja California after being robbed and murdered during their vacation.
The growing violence has also seen incidents such as the killing of three women and six children, including infants, by cartel gunmen in 2019.
