The Los Angeles firefighter who disappeared in Mexico in August has been found dead, and investigators believe he was killed during a botched kidnapping.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Frank Aguilar disappeared in Rosarito, Mexico, in August after he left California for what was meant to be a brief visit, to check on a property he and his family rented through Airbnb. After Aguilar’s family lost contact with him, police in Mexico reportedly visited the property and found it “ransacked.”
According to Fox News, investigators aided by the FBI found Aguilar’s skeletal and cremated remains on October 23 in a remote area. The report does not state exactly where the 48-year-old man’s remains were found, and it is not clear if investigators believe they know where he died.
Aguilar’s daughters had previously told southern California media outlets they worried their father may have been kidnapped. Indeed, Fox News reports that authorities believe two suspects kidnapped Aguilar and later fatally shot him after the purported kidnapping plot went wrong.
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According to the report, police arrested two people identified as “Fanny N,” a 32-year-old woman, and “Santos N,” a 27-year-man, last month on a highway near Rosarito Beach. The suspects allegedly had some of Aguilar’s personal items in their possession, including credit cards that had been used after he went missing.
The report does not provide specifics about the investigation that led to murder charges, but authorities reportedly believe the suspects targeted Aguilar for an abduction and Santos shot the victim at some point during the kidnapping.
Both Fanny N. and Santos N. now face murder charges. Authorities also located Aguilar’s Jeep, which was reportedly sold to a person who said they had no idea where the sellers got the vehicle.
Police reportedly said they believe a third suspect may have been involved, but did not provide details.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told Fox 11 News that he was “deeply saddened” by the news of Aguilar’s murder.
“This is a tragic loss for our entire city,” Garcetti said.
CrimeOnline will provide further details when more information is available.
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