Mexico Changes Story on 2 Cyclists Found in Ravine

Prosecutor investigates deaths of Krzysztof Chmielewski and Holger Hagenbusch
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted May 13, 2018 10:44 AM CDT

Two European cyclists found dead in Mexico may not have died by accident after all, the BBC reports. Turns out that Krzysztof Chmielewski, from Poland, and Holger Hagenbusch, from Germany—who were found in southern Mexico in late April and early May—probably didn't just fall from a narrow path into a ravine. "Our investigations up to now indicate this was an intentional homicide," says prosecutor Luis Sánchez. Among the clues: Chmielewski has a possible bullet wound, he was found next to his companion's bike rather than his own, and photographic equipment is missing, the LA Times reports. The finding follows weeks of agitation on social media and stories in Mexican and European media about the men.

For Hagenbusch's brother Reiner, the newly appointed prosecutor is a much-needed development. "The Polish cyclist was decapitated and had a foot missing," Reiner wrote on Facebook after visiting Mexico to identify his brother's body. The bodies were badly decomposed; Mexican authorities say they were likely killed on April 19 or 20, the New York Post reports. Chmielewski, 37, and Hagenbusch, 43, were experienced cyclists who had traveled through dozens of countries and met recently in Chiapas. Last weekend, nearby residents walked to the highway marker where the bodies were found; they carried a white bicycle, a worldwide symbol to commemorate cyclists who have died while biking. (More Mexico stories.)

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