Weeks after a Chicago couple mysteriously disappeared in Mexico City, investigators discovered four bodies in a mass grave and later confirmed two of the victims were the missing pair.
Less than two months before they disappeared, Guillermo Ortiz shared an Instagram post, celebrating his fifth anniversary with Zafar Mawani.
“Five years in and we’re not just in love; we’re a whole experience. A little luxury, a little chaos, and a lot of ‘don’t be mad we look this good together,’” Ortiz captioned the April 1 post that featured several images of the fashion-forward couple.
“Happy Fifth Anniversary mi amor. Cheers to many more years together in this new Mexican Fabulous era.”
The couple, 56, had relocated to Mexico from Chicago in October 2025, where according to Ortiz, they were “surrounded by fabulous friends, beautiful flowers, and the kind of chaos that deserves background mariachi music.”
But on May 20, after leaving their home in Mexico City, Mawani and Ortiz disappeared.
Vanished without a trace
On the day they vanished, the pair were on their way to buy a chairlift for Mawani’s elderly mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease, according to NBC Chicago.
Authorities said the couple arranged to purchase the lift from private sellers, who allegedly asked them to come to Mawani’s mother’s home, where the equipment was being installed, People reports.
Before communication suddenly stopped, Mawani and Ortiz shared their real-time location with a friend, according to several outlets.
‘Huge hearts’
As the search stretched into its third week, loved ones refused to let hope slip away.
On June 4, a close friend posted an emotional message on Facebook, describing Mawani and Ortiz as two people whose kindness had left a lasting impression on everyone around them.
“There are people who leave their mark on the lives of those who have the privilege of knowing them. You are two of those people,” Namiko de Delgado shared in the post.
“Two human beings with huge hearts…who always sought to live with tranquility and happiness in their own way. Those of us who know them know that their only intention was to live fully, enjoy every day and build a peaceful life surrounded by what made them happy.”
‘We are still looking for them’
The post acknowledged how painful the uncertainty had become but held onto the belief that the couple would be found safe.
“The days go by and we continue without clear answers, without concrete information, holding on to the hope of hearing from you and that you are well.”
The friend ended the message with another heartfelt appeal: “Good people leave an indelible mark, and you hold a very special place in my heart and that of everyone who has had the pleasure of knowing you.
“We are still looking for them.”
Less than two weeks later, investigators made a gruesome discovery.
Mass grave
On June 17, authorities searching a wooded property in La Marquesa, in the municipality of Ocoyoacac on the outskirts of Mexico City, found a mass grave containing four bodies, according to Infobae.
Investigators also reportedly recovered a human limb nearby.
For several days, officials worked to determine the identities of those found.
Then, on June 24, Mawani’s family confirmed that he and Ortiz were two of the victims.
A family friend also confirmed the heartbreaking news on a GoFundMe page created to fund a “memorial bench” and the “installation of a plaque” for people “to gather, reflect, and celebrate two gorgeous men who gave so much.”
“To know them was to love them. They loved hard, treated everyone like family, and made people feel seen. Their warmth brought us together and losing them leaves a profound void in so many hearts,” the organizer wrote.
“They were taken from us far too soon, and they did not deserve such violence.”
String of arrests
The other two victims are believed to be a married couple, ages 56 and 38, although authorities have not publicly identified them.
The investigation has since led to a string of arrests. According to Infobae, former police officer Yesenia V. was among five people taken into custody after investigators linked them to the four bodies. Authorities allege she led a kidnapping and robbery gang, while the other four suspects – including two Venezuelan nationals – were reportedly found with ammunition, narcotics and a black suitcase when they were arrested.
DNA testing is continuing as authorities work to formally identify all four victims.
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