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-Editorial
The city of Mexicali is in mourning following the tragic discovery of Paola Andrea Bañuelos Flores’ body, a 23-year-old psychology student who disappeared after a night out with her cousin. Paola was last seen on July 7, 2024, after leaving the nightclub “La Consentida” and taking a taxi from the DiDi application.
Her cousin posted on Facebook that Paola had taken a black DiDi Versa around 2:20 a.m. and then lost contact with her. Desperate for information, her family searched tirelessly for any clues about her whereabouts.
The State Prosecutor’s Office issued a description to help identify Paola: she stood 1.57 meters tall, had a thin build, straight brown hair down to her shoulders, a white complexion, small brown eyes, and thick eyebrows. On the night she disappeared, Paola was wearing a white tank top with black horizontal stripes, earrings, and a skirt.
Despite efforts to find her, Paola’s lifeless body was found on the morning of Thursday, July 11, in an area of Oasis Campestre, Mexicali. The taxi she had taken was discovered abandoned at an undisclosed location.
In a press conference, the State Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Paola’s body showed signs of violence, although the exact cause of death is still under investigation. The driver of the taxi is the primary suspect, with a history of domestic violence investigations. Sergio Daniel Gutiérrez, who is identified as the alleged perpetrator, voluntarily surrendered today to the State Attorney General’s Office in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora and is being transferred to Baja California.
“La Consentida” nightclub expressed its sorrow over the incident and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. “We deeply regret the events that transpired with Paola Andrea Bañuelos Flores. We extend our condolences to her family and commit to supporting the authorities in seeking justice.”
DiDi, the ride-hailing service, stated it has been cooperating with Baja California authorities since Paola was reported missing. The company condemned the tragic event and extended condolences to Paola’s family and friends, promising to aid in the investigation to ensure justice is served.
Dr. Luis Enrique Palafox Maeste, Chancellor of UABC, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Paola Andrea Bañuelos Flores, stating, “It is heartbreaking to think that Paola Andrea Bañuelos Flores will no longer return to the UABC classrooms as a dedicated student of Educational Sciences. It deeply saddens me that a promising life project like hers has been cut short in this manner. The university community demands justice and stands in solidarity with her family’s pain and grief over this irreparable loss. I trust that the authorities will clarify the facts and ensure that this heinous criminal act does not go unpunished. Equally important is that, together, the community and government, supported by the family as the foundation of our society, must ensure an environment where our young people, children, and everyone can thrive without the fear of becoming victims of crime, a cause that unites us all.”
Governor Marina Del Pilar expressed profound sympathy for Paola’s family and the community. “As a mother of an 11-year-old girl, I share deeply in the pain and sadness of Paola Andrea Bañuelos’ family and our community. My heart is with you during this difficult time,” she said.
Governor Del Pilar assured the public that state forces are focused on apprehending the responsible party and emphasized the implementation of stricter evaluation and supervision of digital transportation platform drivers. “Though these platforms are responsible for their personnel selection, our government will not be indifferent to this tragedy. We will demand stringent controls to ensure the safety of all who use these services.”
A protest is currently taking place by friends, supporters, and community members demanding justice for Andrea Paola Bañuelos Flores. Her tragic death not only highlights the serious security issue in the region but also prompts us to reflect on the importance of taking precautionary measures.
We ask ourselves: where was the cousin she went out with? Why was she allowed to travel alone in the early hours of a Monday morning? It is crucial to urge young people, especially women, to recognize that going out at night is dangerous and that one should not be alone under any circumstances.
It is essential for anyone needing a taxi service late at night to take precautions and avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as this can endanger their health and life, preventing coherent decision-making in emergency situations. Education and a healthy family environment, along with the security provided by the government and private transportation companies that hire individuals with clean criminal records and good histories, can help prevent future tragedies in our community.
