Body of US Hiker Found in Urique: “El Chueco” of Gente Nueva named as Culprit

Posted by Yaqui for Borderland Beat from: Charlotte Observer and El Heraldo

This story was updated at 8 a.m. Mon, Nov 19. By: By Jane Wester and Mark Price

The body of Patrick Braxton-Andrew, who went missing in northern Mexico at the end of October, has been recovered, according to a Facebook page maintained by friends and family during the search; specifically in the Copper Canyon in the Sierra of Chihuahua.

After weeks of searching, the governor of the Mexican state of Chihuahua announced Thursday that Braxton-Andrew died on Oct. 28, the day he was last seen leaving for a walk near his hotel.

Chihuahua Gov. Javier Corral Jurado said in a Facebook post that Braxton-Andrew was killed by drug cartel leader Jose Noriel Porfilo Gil, also known as “El Chueco.”

Braxton-Andrew’s body was found on a beach in the town of Urique, according to Corral’s Facebook post. Corral’s post does not make clear if investigators believe Gil himself killed the teacher or if they suspect one of the drug dealer’s associates.

From El Heraldo:

Patrick "asked a lot of questions " so they thought he was from the DEA;  It surprised them that he spoke Spanish very well; he  did not know that the party he attended was  "El Chueco's" people.

Residents of Urique say that Patrick was killed because the criminal group led by "El Chueco" believed that he was an undercover DEA agent, because of the trips he made to two areas located on the river bank and because of the questions he asked as part of of his interest in the culture of the region.

"He asked a lot" expressed two inhabitants of the area, who found it strange that a "gringo" spoke Spanish so well, unlike other tourists who practically communicate in sign language when they travel to that place.

The day of his disappearance, he was at a party where there were armed people and the inhabitants believe that with his questions they felt threatened and that is why they killed him. Foreign tourists are received daily and had no problems with the groups that operate in the region, but Patrick was the exception.

On the other hand, the family of the young teacher already announced that they will take action to demand justice and the recovery of their body: "Hello everyone. Although we are all still mourning for Patrick, we have work to do and we are asking for your help. We're still looking for justice for Pat. We will have actions and requests for social media that we will start publishing in the coming days. Please, stay informed and thank you for your continued support. "

"El Chueco":

José Noriel Portillo Gil known in the world of drug trafficking as "El Chueco", became the most wanted criminal by state and federal authorities, by linking him directly as the author of the death of Patrick Brexton-Andrew.

All the inhabitants of Urique know "El Chueco", because he controls the transfer of drugs in the region through the armed group that commands, named "Gente Nueva", the armed wing of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Unfortunately for Patrick, he also met him and according to the statements of the governor, Javier Corral, they met at a "malandros" party, where they apparently hung out together. What the young tourist did not know is that this criminal is guilty of the displacement of indigenous people by the drug trafficking of Mesa de Arturo, Bahuichivo, Cerocahui and San Rafael in Urique and the municipalities of Guazapares and Uruachi.

The young teacher, of Spanish and Algebra, never thought that "El Chueco", who is  only 26 years old, controlled the area, had arrest warrants for the crime of deprivation of liberty and there was a folder of investigation for the crime of organized crime.

This subject is linked to the Salazar group, a family that operates in Chínipas. It should be noted that José Noriel Portillo Gil, alias "El Chueco", is a relative of Servando Meza Osorio, alias "el Servandito" and / or "el 21", who was in charge of the criminal organization after the death of Juan Meza Osorio, alias "el Palancas" in January 2015. This family relationship is because the father of "El Chueco" named Aurelio Portillo Meza, is the first cousin of "El Servandito".

According to the inhabitants of Urique, José Noriel has eight other brothers, two older than him and the rest are minors. He is also accused of leading the attack on Urique's command post.

Governor Corral who commented that "El Chueco" is one of the generators of violence and rampage there in the Sierra de Chihuahua, José Noriel Portillo Gil ... "and we are going to capture him and the accomplices who participated in this murder and we are going to continue with the search operation of Patrick's body ".

Braxton-Andrew, 34, graduated from Davidson College and taught Spanish at the private Woodlawn School in Mooresville. The school canceled classes and athletic practices Friday “out of respect and remembrance for Patrick,” said a school Facebook post.

His family said the body’s recovery gave them “a sense of relief,” according to the Facebook post. Last week, his parents told the Observer they wanted to stay in Mexico until his body was found.

Investigators have not said why he was targeted, but they say it had nothing to do with an attempt to purchase marijuana or any other drugs, said Corral’s post.

“Under the progress in the investigation, I can say that it was a cowardly and brutal murder, of a totally innocent person, a clean man whose misfortune was to cross his walk with this criminal,” said Corral’s post.

Braxton-Andrew’s body back to North Carolina, where they’ll hold a “celebration of life,” they told the Observer.

“We are very, very proud of Patrick, and of the way he lived. He did what he wanted to do. He followed his path,” his mother, Jean Braxton, said last week.