Three Students Murdered at Mexican University Amidst Femicide Concerns
The killings of three young women at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos in seven months raise alarm over rising femicide rates in the region.
Three female students at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (UAEM) have been murdered in the last seven months, prompting concerns about femicide in the state of Morelos, located south of Mexico City.
The victims, identified as Claudia Tacoronte, 21, and Kimberly Ramos and Karol Toledo, both 18, were all students at UAEM when they were killed. Between January and July of this year, Morelos recorded 69 female homicides, with 21 classified as femicides—killings motivated by gender.
Tacoronte, a Spanish exchange student from the University of Granada, was found dead on September 12 in Cuautla. Authorities allege Francisco Meléndez, 37, stabbed her to death during an attempted phone robbery. Meléndez was arrested the day after Tacoronte's killing, following a public appeal and sightings reported by residents. The University of Granada suspended its transfer program with UAEM and recalled its 17 other students following the incident. Alberto Guerrero, a security policy strategist, suggested the swift arrest might have been influenced by the international attention the case garnered due to Tacoronte being a foreign student, questioning the security measures in place for Mexican students.
Kimberly Ramos was last seen near the Chamilpa campus in Cuernavaca on February 20. Her body was discovered on March 3 in an industrial area on the outskirts of town. Her ex-boyfriend and fellow student, identified as Jared Alejandro ‘N’, was arrested by authorities on March 5. A Morelos state official, speaking anonymously, stated he is accused of strangling her during a dispute fueled by jealousy.
Karol Toledo disappeared on March 5, the same day Ramos’ accused killer was arrested, in Mazatepec, approximately 25 miles away. Her body was found hours later, having died from a gunshot wound. Police are seeking two suspects who allegedly fled the state, but the motive remains unclear.
In addition to these three students, high school student Michelle Fuentes, 15, disappeared in Yautepec on May 24. Her mother, an academic at UAEM, reported that Fuentes had left to buy art supplies and never returned. Her body was found on June 2 in Tepoztlán, a tourist town about 30 miles away. Her cause of death has not been released.
Lara Tacoronte, Claudia's sister, expressed frustration over the lack of action and the normalization of violence against women in the region. UAEM has not yet responded to requests for comment on the incidents.