A prosecutor in the Mexican state of Baja California told reporters this week that it is unlikely that the killing of the out owner of a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub in Tijuana was a hate crime. Meanwhile, friends of Omar Guido Chávez held a funeral caravan to his club, Sodoma, on Tuesday and they are planning a memorial at the club Sunday, October 27.
Chávez, 51, disappeared on Wednesday, October 16. His body was found two days later in the trunk of his car. He was decapitated and his limbs were severed, according to local media. Two people were arrested in connection with the killing.
According to the newspaper Milenio, a banner allegedly signed by the Sinaloa Cartel was found in the back seat of Chávez's car with threats aimed at anyone who supports Juan Manuel Villaseñor Hernández, who allegedly runs a business selling slot machines and drugs, according to the international news website infobae.com. It is suspected that the hit on Chávez may have been over territorial control.
Bajanews.mx reported that Gabriel "N" and Juan Diego "N" were arrested on Friday afternoon, October 18, on suspicion of being involved in the abandonment of a vehicle containing human remains. Mexican police do not release suspects' full names before they are convicted. Police first tried to pull over the suspects for not wearing seatbelts, but they took off and eventually abandoned their car and ran. They were caught and arrested. With the use of security cameras, police were able to connect them with the abandonment of Chávez's car that contained his remains.
Baja California homicide prosecutor Miguel Ángel Gaxiola was asked by reporters if the case is being looked at as a hate crime; he responded that there is no evidence pointing to a hate crime and that the strongest evidence is a threat written on cardboard that was found with Chávez's remains. He said there was no history of threats against Chávez or the club. When asked if there were incidents involving drug sales within the nightclub, the prosecutor said there was no record of that but that the club is situated in central Tijuana where drug dealing takes place.
A tribute to Chávez was posted to his nightclub's Instagram page. It stated, "Sodoma Night Club and all working staff regret to inform you, with deep sorrow, of the passing of Omar Guido Chávez, who was a great friend, boss, and excellent person in life.
"We offer our condolences to family and close friends. We will always remember Omar Guido for his characteristic smile, his love for life, and his noble heart that believed in and helped many," the post stated.
"Join us this Sunday, October 27, to say goodbye to our great friend, starting at 10:30 p.m., with a show by guest artists. Rest in peace, Omar Guido Chávez, October 5, 1974 — October 18, 2024," the statement concluded.
The club did not respond to messages sent via its social media pages.
The day after Chávez's remains were found the Baja LGBTQ+ organization Comunidad ABC posted an open letter on its Facebook page on behalf of several LGBTQ+ organizations in Northern Mexico. The letter was addressed to Baja's governor and attorney general as well as the municipal president of Tijuana.
"We demand that the Baja California State Attorney General's Office INVESTIGATE AND CLARIFY the facts immediately, transparently, and exhaustively. It is unacceptable that a person disappears and is later found dead in circumstances that require a thorough and committed investigation with a diversity perspective. We demand that the rights of missing persons be respected and that access to justice be GUARANTEED for their families," the letter stated.
"It is essential that the authorities demonstrate with concrete actions their commitment to the safety of all people in Baja California, providing effective results in investigations, with sensitivity and a perspective of DIVERSITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS," the letter continued. "We also demand that access to the truth be guaranteed and that all necessary measures be taken to PREVENT and avoid tragedies like this from happening again.
"We will not stop in the search for justice for Omar Guido, as well as for all victims of violence in our community. The Attorney General's Office must respond with the speed and professionalism that these cases deserve," the letter stated.
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