### The Heartbreaking Journey of Eddy Carrillo
On November 7, 2024, Tijuana’s residents were reminded of the haunting tales of missing persons as the State Attorney General’s Office registered a report by the Todos Somos Erick Carrillo foundation. The report uncovered a clandestine burial site in the El Lago neighborhood of Tijuana, where human remains were found. This location had previously yielded around 20 bodies, marking yet another grave discovery in the region’s ongoing tragedy.
At approximately 4:43 PM the same day, an incomplete skeleton was identified. It was adorned with recognizable clothing: a brown jacket, size M from Ace of Diamond, and blue shorts, size L from Nike. A second skeleton was similarly discovered, dressed in a gray zip-up hoodie and black shirt, with Nike sneakers. Eddy Carrillo, the president of the foundation and a father searching tirelessly since the disappearance of his son Erick in June 2019, faced the harsh realization that the jacket belonged to his missing child. This connection was further confirmed on November 28, with a 99.99% maternal DNA match, identifying another skeleton as Francisco Iván Rosales Ayala, who vanished alongside Erick over five years ago.
Finding his son offered Eddy Carrillo a bittersweet closure after 5 years and 159 days of relentless searching. “For the first time, I believe it’s really Erick. I’m more at peace now. I can finally sleep,” he expressed. This closure prompted his decision to step down from the foundation on June 1, 2025, the six-year mark of Erick’s disappearance.
Eddy’s journey began with his determination to find his son, whom he last saw before Erick’s trip to Tijuana from the United States to aid in refurbishing his mother’s home for a delayed Mother’s Day celebration. Dissatisfied with the authorities’ lack of interest, he joined efforts with “Una Nación Buscando T” and ventured on independent searches that led to the creation of his foundation, dedicated to daily searches.
On December 12, 2019, Eddy vowed to the Virgin of Guadalupe to devote two years to finding Erick while supporting others in similar grief. This promise extended into a prolonged quest over the years, ultimately discovering his son’s remains.
During another search prompted by an anonymous tip on November 28, Eddy encountered yet another burial site, a spot that soon proved significant as Francisco Iván Ayala’s remains were identified. “We found femurs, a tibia, and human bones. I realized how crucial each step was when they uncovered clothing matching my son’s.” Although the authorities were mostly absent, Eddy maintained his stance, preferring to operate without interference.
In forensic analysis, the dusty and stained garments confirmed what Eddy feared – the high probability that they belonged to his son. After identifying clothing belonging to Erick’s friend, Francisco, they awaited dental records and further evidence to confirm Erick’s identity.
### The Ongoing Battle to Find the Missing
As Eddy prepares his exit from the organization, he leaves a legacy of advocating for families of the disappeared. Under his leadership, the foundation conducted up to 22 monthly searches and helped locate over 1,600 individuals, living or deceased, within five years.
“Retiring is a hard decision, but necessary,” he shared, recalling a vision of his son as the turning point for peace. He remains committed to training successors to steer the organization forward, emphasizing the need for a strong-willed team devoid of personal or financial distractions.
Despite facing risks and threats during searches, Eddy persists in encouraging families to actively participate in the search for their loved ones. His resilience will sustain the foundation’s mission to identify and repatriate the remains found, amid bureaucratic and safety challenges, highlighting the necessity of collective efforts in a landscape shadowed by adversity and resilience.
### Secondary Article: Growing Impact of Missing Persons Activism in Mexico
In recent years, the activism around missing persons has intensified across Mexico, with burgeoning support from grassroots organizations. Following the example set by leaders like Eddy Carrillo, various groups nationwide work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind individuals’ disappearances.
Reports indicate that over 23,000 persons have gone missing in Baja California alone in the past five years, underscoring the relentless demand for justice and accountability. Organizations work hand-in-hand with local communities, often relying on anonymous tips and collective strength to spearhead independent search efforts.
The participation of thousands of volunteers, along with technological advancements like drone surveillance, has bolstered the efficiency and safety of their operations. However, each effort is not without risk, as illegal entities frequently pose threats to discourage such courageous endeavors.
Despite these challenges, the commitment of families, activists, and allies continues to shine light on otherwise neglected cases, advocating for human rights and the unwavering hope of reuniting with lost loved ones. These collective efforts reflect a growing movement towards transparency and closure within the overarching human rights narrative in Mexico.