- Miguel Cortés allegedly raped and murdered his 17-year-old neighbor, María José, in their Mexico City home on Tuesday
- The 39-year-old also stabbed the teenager’s mother after she tried to stop him from leaving the apartment before he was intercepted by neighbors and taken away by police.
- The chemist is now being investigated for perhaps killing another 20 women after authorities discovered human remains and seven human skulls in his home.
A biologist was arrested by Mexican authorities for allegedly murdering a 17-year-old girl and stabbing her mother.
Authorities are now investigating whether Miguel Cortés is also behind the murders of 20 other women.
The 39-year-old man is accused of raping and strangling María José at her home in the Iztacalco district of Mexico City on Tuesday morning.
Surveillance camera showed the pharmaceutical biological chemist approaching her home moments after her mother, Cassandra, had left to run an errand.
María José was preparing to leave for school when Cortés sexually assaulted and then stabbed the teenager. Cassandra then returned to the house and saw him leaving her daughter’s room.
Cortes plunged the sword into Cassandra’s face and back as she tried to stop him from leaving.
Miguel Cortés was arrested Tuesday in Mexico City for allegedly raping and murdering his 17-year-old neighbor, María José, and stabbing his mother, Cassandra. Authorities searched his home Thursday and discovered seven skulls and human remains; Now they are investigating for perhaps killing another 20 women
María José, 17, was raped and strangled in her home by her neighbor moments after her mother left her home in Mexico City to run an errand.
Cortés tried to flee, but was stopped by neighbors, who beat him and held him until the police arrived.
‘The first thing I see is a blood stain. I see my mom lying on the couch bleeding. She had a stab wound in her face and another in her back. She was in shock,’ María Fernanda told reporters.
‘My sister was dead. She was in a very strange position with her pants down and her shirt pulled up. Because?’
On Thursday, the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office raided Cortés’ apartment in the same building where the teenager lived and discovered seven human skulls, human remains and identification cards.
They also seized several saws and chemicals.
‘The individual could have entered said home to sexually assault the victim and deprive her of her life,’ the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. ‘The man, possibly discovered by a person, also attacked her, causing various injuries that required the victim’s hospitalization.’
Police are now investigating whether Miguel Cortés, a chemist, is behind the murder of at least 20 women after seven skulls and human remains were found in his home.
María José, 17, was allegedly raped and murdered in her Mexico City home on Tuesday. Her 39-year-old neighbor, Miguel Cortés, is detained
Miguel Cortés is escorted out of a Mexico City police station. He faces murder and attempted murder charges after he allegedly raped and strangled his 17-year-old neighbor and stabbed her mother twice.
The alleged serial killer worked at a local hospital and was an avid traveler who spoke three languages fluently.
On social media she often posted about protecting the rights of women and animals.
A neighbor, who spoke on condition of anonymity to news channel N Más, expressed concern that Cortés may have been involved in the disappearance of his friend, who once lived in his home in 2015.
‘She disappeared, this person precisely told us that she had gone to her town and after that he didn’t hear from her anymore, she didn’t return,’ the person said.
Local media reported that Cortés may have dismembered at least 20 women.