Hunters discovered a human body inside a crocodile that had been captured near a lagoon on Tuesday.
Brian Vasquez, a 12-year-old boy, had been missing for almost a month before his remains were located in a lagoon close to his family’s home in New Orleans.
After this tragic revelation, officials dispatched hunters to remove the crocodile, which they described as a “nuisance,” in hopes of identifying those responsible for Brian’s death.
On Tuesday, a group of hunters operating across from Lake Pontchartrain in Lacombe found what looked like remains within the animal. This finding was subsequently turned over to the Orleans Parish Coroner’s office, where a DNA test will be conducted to confirm if the remains belong to Brian.
Brian, who was autistic and nonverbal, was reported missing after his mother, Hilda Vasquez, left him home alone while she attended to her 11-year-old sister. Around 5 a.m., Brian managed to escape through an unsecured window, a behavior he had exhibited at least twice before.
Surveillance footage captured Brian that morning, appearing near the front of the house in only a diaper.
Brian’s mother had a troubling history, having physically abused him when he was just three months old, resulting in a fractured skull, broken legs, collapsed lungs, and traumatic brain injuries that contributed to his condition. She was convicted of abuse in 2013, and Brian was removed from her custody.
At some point, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services returned Brian to Hilda, although it remains unclear when this occurred.
His remains were not discovered until weeks later, on August 26.
Hilda Vasquez was arrested on Sunday and faces charges of second-degree cruelty and negligent homicide in connection with her son’s death.
If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and is scheduled for a bond hearing next week.
