Human remains were discovered on a farm in the El Chichón sector of Villalba, and authorities believe they may belong to 87-year-old Manuel Vázquez Burgos, who went missing in the same municipality a year ago. The discovery was made by farm workers at 12:15 pm on Friday.
Clothing and a hat found at the scene are similar to what Vázquez Burgos was last seen wearing on June 24, 2024, when he left his residence in the Tierrita sector of the Aceituna neighborhood. An Ashanti Alert was issued for Vázquez Burgos on June 26, 2024.
The Institute of Forensic Sciences (ICF) will determine the identity and cause of death. Lieutenant Félix Guilbe, director of the Homicide Division of the Criminal Investigations Corps (CIC) in Ponce, and prosecutor Blanca Questel are handling the investigation.