Several Bodies Go Unclaimed in Hidalgo County Every Year
POSTED: Monday, October 17, 2011 - 4:14pm
UPDATED: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 7:49am
Cemetaries are a place of comfort and to remember loved ones who have passed away. But many people in Hidalgo County seem to have been forgotten.
Over 15 un claimed bodies line a fence in a cemetary in Mission. No one knows where they came from or where they were going. No one knows who they are.
The grave site for the unknown moved to Donna this year and so far 9 bodies have been added to the site. Local authorities say they do what they can to find the next of kin to these "Jane and John Doe's" but at times it can be very difficult. Especially since we're so close to the border and a lot of times these bodies are found floating in the river.
It's the county's responsibility to make sure every body has a proper burial. Officials tell us its a group effort. It costs over $2,000 to bury each body. This year alone, the county has spent over $20,000 in burials.
It's illegal to cremate an unknown so its money the county says it has to spend.
The story behind these men and women remains a mystery. Until someone comes searching the only company they have is each other.