Two sixth-form pupils are accused of murdering their teacher and feeding him to crocodiles to get rid of the body.
Diego Yasmar Barrales San Juan is believed to have been kidnapped after leaving home in his car to run some errands.
He was reportedly taken to a remote Location and held there against his will.
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Diego’s family say his kidnappers then demanded a payment of 2m MXN (£76,700) in exchange for his release.
His aunt, María Amada del Socorro, told local media: “But no ransom was paid, which is why they killed him.
“We don’t have that kind of money.
“We live from paycheck to paycheck.”
Diego, 40, went missing on 6 August and was reportedly beaten repeatedly before he was killed.
His cause of death is unclear.
The teacher’s car was found on a country road in Álamo Temapache, north-east of Mexico City, the next day.
That night, his body was found floating in the Pantepec River in nearby Tuxpan, as reported by Need To Know.
Amada said: “The body was found in the river where there are crocodiles, with the intention of having them get rid of it.
“But the crocodiles didn’t touch it.”
Two suspects – aged 17 and 18 – were reportedly arrested on Friday (6 Sep).
They have been charged with kidnapping with aggravating factors.
It is not clear why they haven’t been charged with murder yet.
They are both former pupils of the teacher and one was his neighbour, according to reports.
It is believed they likely had another motive in addition to monetary gain.
Amada said: “All we ask for is justice and for the truth to come out.
“We’re not here to condemn anyone – we just don’t want this to go unpunished.”
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