Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new details Mexican authorities provided Monday, Oct. 5, 2020.
TIJUANA (Border Report) — Tijuana police discovered the body of a missing U.S. Consulate employee in a field near an area known as Rancho las Uvas southeast of the city.
Edgar Flores Santos was an agricultural, crops and animal expert working out of the American Consulate in Tijuana. Details are scarce, but investigators reported today that his body showed signs of trauma and “suspicious injuries.”
This afternoon, it was confirmed that Flores Santos was shot nine times with different caliber weapons.
Investigators also reported that one person has been arrested for trying to hide the body, others involved are being sought.
He was reported missing on Sept. 30. His consulate-issued work truck was found at the crime scene. Flores Santos had be working in the remote area gathering and collecting insect samples from traps that has been laid out.
The U.S. Consulate issued a statement expressing sorrow for Flores Santos’ death.
“The community of the U.S. Consulate of the United States in Tijuana deeply laments reports of the death of one of our local employees, a member of the Agricultural Department involved in the sanitary inspections of plants and animals with the office in Tijuana,” read the statement. “We are awaiting official confirmation, and we’ll continue working with local authorities investigating the case, out of respect for the family we will have no further comment.”
The city of Tijuana also issued a statment:
“The city of Tijuana laments this incident, and we reiterate our support for our neighboring country with whom we’ll maintain a direct and constant line of communication throughout our administration.”
Flores Santos was described as a Mexican national working for the U.S. Consulate.
The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau tweeted over the weekend stating that “US Mission Mexico is mourning the loss of Flores Santos and that the mission is grateful for his service.”
He also offered his sincere condolences to his loved ones and will work with law enforcement until he and his family receive justice.
