SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Baja California State Attorney General María Elena Andrade Ramírez told reporters on Thursday that former Gov. Jaime Bonilla has not been ruled out in connection with the murder of journalist Lourdes Maldonado, who was shot in front of her Tijuana home more than two years ago.
At the time of her death, Maldonado had a running feud with Bonilla who was her boss when she worked for a news agency in Tijuana long before he became governor.
Maldonado claimed he owed her back wages, and after years of legal hearings, a court ordered Bonilla to pay her, something he said he would never do.
In January 2022, Maldonado was killed in her car after being shot once in the face.
Three suspects were arrested and convicted, all sentenced to 20 years in prison, but the “intellectual author” of the killing, has never been named or detained.
Andrade Ramírez said on Thursday that Bonilla has always been considered for questioning, but they have yet to interview him.
Since leaving the Baja governor’s seat, Bonilla has served as a Baja California senator in Mexico City.
“Once his term ends on September 1, we’re not ruling out bringing him in for questioning in connection with the Lourdes Maldonado killing,” Andrade Ramírez said. “Everyone remains a suspect until the investigation is over.”
She told reporters: “In time they will see about an apprehension order.”
Bonilla has always maintained his innocence and has denied any involvement in Maldonado’s assassination.
