Mom Hunted Down 10 Cartel Members For Killing Daughter - Real Life “Taken” 

From a Mexican immigrant, thank you for clarifying not everyone is linked to the cartels; I wouldn't be a LPR if we were.

You should never mess with a mom, never mess with her child because mothers have a primal need to protect and avenge their children. THIS WOMAN IS AN AMAZING MOM.

As a Mexican myself, i honestly want to say, please be careful with doing any cartel videos. just in case, also i want to thank you for clarifying that not all Mexicans are involved in cartels. some people just try to live the lives they were blessed with.

She was probably scared bc the justice system failed her yet again by letting 29 people she suffered to put in there out by digging a hole like a dog. It’s defeating and depressing

I can confidently say in the name of Mexicans…Thank you for covering this case. Miriam, Marisela Escobedo, and groups of mothers such as Sabuesos Guerreras have dedicated their life to bring justice and perhaps even closure to the missing of Mexico and their families … thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm not mad at her at all. What parent wouldn't want revenge for their child.

Frustrating how the government doesn’t do shit and when a mother with a dead child is a force to be reckoned with. 😢

the case of Marisela Escobedo Ortiz was also one that always stuck to me. Marisela was murdered in front of the government palace while protesting for the arrest of her daughter’s murderer. it so sad seeing mothers go through so many obstacles while trying to seek justice for their children, only to be killed during their fight.

Mama bear instincts are real. She gave them everything they wanted and they STILL took Karen's life. Miriam Rodríguez not only avenged her daughter but by killing 10 lives she saved the lives of many. She did better than the police who allowed these casualties, the loss of her child, to occur. Rest in peace, Miriam Rodríguez.

Miriam Elizabeth Rodríguez Martínez (5 February 1960 - 10 May 2017) was a Mexican human rights activist. She became one of the many "Missing Child Parents", (a class of victims of organized crime, labeled as such by local news media) after her daughter was abducted and killed. Miriam was shot 12 times by gunmen in front of her house and died on May 10, 2017.

Stephanie I beg of you to take a look into the case of the chibok girls, were 100+girls were kidnapped and only 82 returned, and how the government is turning a blind eye on the whole cult to their advantage,I had been begging you to talk about this shed light on this situation so they know we are watching

You should cover the case of “Paulette”, one of the MOST infamous cases in Mexican history. A 5yo rich disabled girl who disappeared in her own house and later turned out to be killed and “hidden” in her own bed, tucked in between the bedsheets. Every media outlet covered her disappearance, and even FILMED live on top of her bed when she was allegedly kidnapped (but she was already dead in the bed). The principal suspect of her murder -her own parents-, but because they were the owners of very important companies in Mexico they got away with it. The WHOLE case is documented in video by mexican media (even when they found the little girl dead in her bed). It was obvious that she was killed elsewhere and she was later hidden in the bed, but the parents alleged that she got trapped in her bed and died by accident🤡

I can't believe the mother was killed in the end. At least deep down she was slowly accepting her daughters death.❤.

Miriam is a fkin legend in my eyes.

I read here that Miriam died by being shot 12 times in front of her home in 2017. I imagine she actually figured that is how she would go out. Her's is the name of a real hero, someone who SHOULD be known. That was a woman who was fighting to avenge the only person who had ever who literally owned part of her heart, shared her heart, still remembered how carefully she carried and loved her in utero, this woman just kinda stuns me in how inspirational, fearless, determined, she's an absolute Queen Mama Bear. I hope wherever we go after death she was immediately reunited with Karen ❤

idk if there's any truth to this, just my personal observation, when she first went out to seek revenge, she was probably completely fearless because she was so deeply depressed that she didn't care about what might happen to her but when she started this group and helped other families in the same situation she had a purpose again

Miriam Rodríguez pursued her daughter’s killers for years resulting in 10 of them being captured. Some of the men arrested for her daughter's case escaped prison after their arrest. Along with finding her daughter, she made efforts to help other parents whose children had disappeared, and from it came the Colectivo de Desaparecidos (The Vanished Collective) organization. Rodríguez was killed on 10 May 2017, the day Mexico celebrates Mother's Day. She was shot 12 times by gunmen who broke into her home, and died on her way to the hospital. In solidarity, protesters raised their voices in protest the day she was killed, calling on the Mexican and U.S. governments to ensure the safety of human rights defenders.

Her daughter, Karen Alejandra Salinas Rodríguez, disappeared in 2012. Karen's remains were discovered in 2014.

I just want to speak on this: I'm from the very Northeast of Tamaulipas, around the Reynosa area. Cartel activity has just gotten worse and worse over the years. It's honestly a really sad reality a lot of Mexicans have to live through. The golf cartel doesn't really exist anymore, instead they became seperated into different cartel groups and there's an ongoing war happening in the area with other mexican cartels. Innocent civilians have been caught in crossfire and it is us who pays the consequence. A lot of crimes aren't reported either because the cartels have the civil police on chokehold. Living right next to the border has really given an insight into how privaleged a lot of American-born citizens are when it comes to things like these. I've crossed the border many times, even go to school there. It's honestly crazy how different life is on both sides. Thank you for covering cases like these and bringing awereness to the real issue: cartels, NOT mexicans 💓

Two years ago, my aunt called my mom from Mexico, crying because some cartel men had broken into her house and taken my cousin. They were trying to recruit him and he tried to fight back. In his struggle they cut off his right ear in front of my aunt. Then they dragged him out of the house. She never saw him again and there wasn’t anything she could do.

As a Mexican-American, I really appreciate the disclaimer at the beginning of the video, many do tend to demonize Mexico and and us as a whole for the whole idea of Cartels and the dangers of the bad parts of Mexico. So again, Tysm! 😊❤️

I need people to understand - if everyone in Mexico were involved with cartels, there wouldn’t be anyone left for the cartels to exploit. Just think about it for a second. It doesn’t make any sense for an entire country to be criminals. At minimum, for criminal enterprises, it’s really bad for business.

The Tijuana cartel/affiliated cops kidnapped my uncle who was a cop just bc he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, he had a wife and two young babies. That was 25 years ago and we still have no trace of him he simply vanished. Twenty five years of nothing being done and thousands going missing every day for fentanyl it’s insane.

When Los Zetas were a big cartel in Mexico I lived in one of the plazas (Zacatecas) they were in control of back in 2012. There were constant kidnappings of civilians including CHILDREN who were murdered and butchered for their organs to sell on the black market. People would always be in fear of being stopped in the middle of the street to have their truck stolen and kidnapped by Los Zetas. It was a scary time, what made it worse was the fact that people were even afraid of the authorities because they were all affiliated with the cartel. And quite honestly that is still the case.

Sorry, I gotta say it 😭 the Pablo Escobar quote “Plata o plomo” literally means “Money or bullets”. Plata is an urban way of saying money and Plomo is an urban way of saying bullets/shots

That mother is an example of how strong some relationships are

As a former Tamaulipas resident this video really touched me. I moved to Texas about 5 years ago and I can still remember drive by shootings so clearly. I was so young even then and it’s true Cartels target just anyone. My family and I were robbed at gun point in the Reynosa- Rio bravo carretera and they took our car along with any valuables. My mom asked one of the guys if she could keep her purse and he said no. My mom told him “God Bless you” and when you mentioned that scene with the people in the ranch it really brought me back. Amazing coverage Stephanie, I thank you so much.

"Hope common sense finds you soon..." Lmao best line ever

My Mexican mother was also diagnosed with cancer and the most heartbreaking part for her was telling her 13 yo daughter (me) she was diying. She passed two years later, it’ll be three years from now in three days. My mom, just like Myriam had the guts of a soldier, she rescued her sister and cousin from an abusive relationship and gave shelter to anyone who needed it in the family. Moms and more importantly Latino/Mexican moms are such brave people, there’s another case where a Mexican mom visibilised her daughter feminicide so ruthlessly she got killed, in front of a government building none the lest. Mexican girls live by the fear of being kidnapped, if not by the cartels in the north area or the golf, by organized crime gangs, and then raped. My utmost fear was always thinking about how the rescue money would destroy our economy. Pd: ‘La machorra’ is normally a despective way to describe a masculine woman or a lesbian, could be read as ‘dyke’.

I’ve heard this story plenty of times but Stephanie’s story telling is top tier The love this mother has for her child is so beautiful

Stephanie is such a good narrator and she’s so natural, it doesn’t seem or sound like she is reading from a teleprompter. I often wonder how she remembers the entire story without skipping a beat. It’s super human!

I live close to the border and my family used to visit Mexico all the time, but stopped going when they drove past a pile of bodies on the side of the road. My mom turned the car around and drove straight back to the US and nobody has visited since. It's sad because Mexico is such a vibrant country filled with kind people. The cartels are a horrific minority.

Thats a good fucking mom.

steph! in 21:32 plata means money, so when escobar said "plata o plomo" means that either you gave them money/ cash or you'll have a bullet across your head. Plata also means silver but in latinoamerica we refer to money mostly in cash as "plata"

being Mexican will teach you not to mess with two things. the virgin Mary, and a mother.

THATS HOW A MOTHER RIDES FOR HER BABIES!!! She is a queen too me. And her skill!? That's no easy task to execute, wow.

Her never running out of stories is terrifying, when is it going to end?

mirian was a revolution. I just hope I can be 10% of the woman she was if I'm in some situation where I cannot count on my government, institutions, law and almost anyone, just myself... There's so much incredible woman doing the most in this world for justice and peace, she even united other mothers... this woman are not celebrated or remembered enough. Un abrazo latino a todos los hermanos que luchan por encontrar a los desaparecidos en México, mucha fuerza para cada familia.

Wow, Miriam was an absolute hero !!!! Thank you Stephanie for telling her story. May Miriam and Karen rest in peace. My sympathy to their family and to the families torn apart by horrible senseless violence.

Turns out fear is not the strongest emotion, love is. And vengeance probably

Something in my Brain said, “Look if Stephanie has posted” And less than a minute? Earliest I’ve ever been.

My father also got kidnapped by the Zetas back in 2011. The only reason why they let him go is because my dad's father in law is connected to them. Unfortunately most Mexican families do have at least one family member involved in that. I'm just grateful to God for letting him live. We are not close but just knowing he's alive and healthy and safe brings me comfort.

As someone who grew up in Mexico City, not even close to where this issue was going on. I can say that the Zetas genuinely traumatized me as a little kid. They’ll show what they did to other people in newspapers, magazines and tv. And they would not censor it or anything.

I have a friend who immigrated from Mexico a few years ago. He said you could only tell cartel from military by their shoes. Military would wear the same boots. You could see cartel members wearing sneakers or other types of shoes. Otherwise they looked the same

Thank you for those first words, my country and our people are not the drug traffickers, we suffer from the regrettable situation that the government allows. And it does not represent us in any way as a society. Not the entire country is dangerous, and that is why as locals we always tell foreigners that if they visit, be careful and attentive to where they go, pay attention to where the locals tell them not to enter, because we don't even go, don't expose yourself to shady events. .

This woman should be venerated as a hero. There is so much bravery in this story.

"I hope common sense finds you soon" is a phrase I'm gonna use a LOT. Thank you, Steph 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

41:05 this is slightly wrong, they would not just pay for their meal because they were nice or trying to build rapport. They would close down the doors to the restaurant, take away patrons mobile devices and sequester them until the cartel party was done with their meal and THEN they would pay for everyones bill and leave. It was because they wanted to feel safe while they ate, not for the people.

México is a beautiful country with beautiful people but sadly it's run by organized crime, locals can't do anything freely and "police" are there to protect cartels, willingly or not. Recently Netflix released a documentary on Homero Gomez titled "El guardian de las Monarcas" or the guardianof the monarchs, he is one of the many environmental activist who have been murdered for trying to proctect forests and wildlife. It's a very bittersweet, more bitter than sweet story, it'd be really nice if Stephanie could do a story on him so more people get to know who he was.

Zeta can't walk at my prison because of the other cartels have a kill on site on the zeta due to their crimes.... That is how bad they are.

I wish that I was half the woman she was. Rest in Peace Miriam.

Ngl, this case seems like something taken out from an action movie.

I live in one of the safest countries in the world, the Netherlands(Holland), and listening to how the people of Mexico have to live in fear every day is hard to comprehend for someone like me. No wonder so many Mexican people are trying to get to safety, they're being forced to by the deadly violence. Forced to leave their home, a lot of the time having to leave part of their family behind, leave their culture, their traditions, their world the only one they've known behind for an unknown future in hope of a peaceful life. This momma bear was a mom for so many people in Mexico I'm sure, what an amazing human being. May she, her daughter and all those innocent victims rest in peace... 💜🌷

This story always makes me cry no matter who covers it. Never ever loses its incredibly powerful effect on me. Rest in peace to them both.

The Iguala mass kidnapping is Mexico’s infamous crime and a case I would never forget. I heard this on the news three years ago to remember the 43 students that disappeared. I would love to hear it from you so people can learn and know the names of these young men who have their lives lost at a very young age.

The thing that hits me hardest about these cases is when you give dates for the story, I think back to what I was doing around that time and... It gives so much perspective that I think we all need. When she realized her daughter was dead, I was working on my senior essay. We naturally think that our own problems are the end of the world, but somewhere in the world, someone has it infinitely worse.

One time the cartel, posted a list of names from a police station, with the name of the targets, and one was my cousin…. He knew he was next, he got executed in front of his wife and his mom.

I remember growing up in Mexico when I was younger. Prior to the cartel getting violent against citizens. It was such a beautiful country filled with love, culture, and beauty. Now it’s just… terror and fear 😢

My mom was born in the north east of Mexico. Chihuahua, Chihuahua. I used to visit every summer in the 90s with out a problem. It was safe. I didn't have a curfew as a 10 year old. As long as I was in the street we lived on. 2007 shit hit the fan with the cartels. Everything changed inwent back as a 17year old. Expecting to roam around and be free. My uncle would lock me up in the house all day and all night. I was not allowed out unless I was with fam. Now I go back as a 30 something year old with my son. And I watch him like a HAWK. I don't let him out of my sight for a split second. So much so. That I almost got kidnapped while we were in downtown town in an alley way trying to make our way for a taxi. I was behind in our group. When my aunt grabbed me and pushed me into the first cab she could wave down. I say this for us tourist to be careful down in Mexico and beware always. Don't let your guard down but please go out and travel there it's beautiful and the people are beautiful and loving. And they need the tourism. I still go and take my son every year. Like Karen I stand out alot. I'm Mexican too but I'm american fed. Idk these gmos got me at 5'7" height. Which is really tall for our culture. I just look Americanized and they can all spot that. It the reason why my uncle would keep me locked up. He would say, "you just don't look like a local" and that makes you a target

An old family friend lost his whole family due to the cartel because for years he worked here in the US and would send money back to his family. Someone was noisy and the cartel found out the amount money that this family friend would send to his family and shot them all dead. When he moved back to Mexico and found out what happened to his family became a neighbor told him, he ran back to the US to seek protection from the government. I don’t know where he is now but what I do know is that he’s safe and has his papers and living well. This man was a huge part of my life and I’m happy that he is safe and is living well. The cartel are ruthless and shouldn’t be messed with.

The fact that Miriam died on Mexican’s Mother’s Day breaks my heart. She was truly a good mother.

When at the time the newly elected president López Obrador made, as one of his first nods to the carteles, the gesture of hugging Chapo's mother, my blood boiled. Only those who have been in this type of reality understand how it is and how it feels to see the highest autority and the ones in charge to protect you to bow down to criminals

I was born and raised in Juarez, chihuahua in Mexico. It’s a border city. There was so much crime due to carteles when I was growing up. Missing women and so on. Thankfully we lived in the suburbs and not in the outskirts. Even then, our home that is rented out, a man was killed by the carteles. The police said it was an accident but everyone knew better… I’m devastated to hear how much worse it’s gotten

I heard of this case. It's really sad what happened with both females. I respect and admire her for fighting justice for her daughter's death. Not only her daughter but it caused her own life. None of them deserved that.

We didn’t go one year because of how bad los zetas were in my area. It was so scary. And there was a hill where they burned a giant Z. We used to drive by it

Even though I know this story I still tune in every time somebody talks about Miriam. I chose her story for my Public Speaking class in college, and when I tell u everybody was TUNED in. It made me feel better because I HATE Public Speaking, but I wanted ppl to be educated on who Miriam R. was. I don’t want ppl to forget about her, and I’m so glad u covered her and Karen’s story. It’s tragic but also so powerful seeing Miriam’s bravery

As a Mexican-American woman, thank you for using your platform to point out how rhetoric is heavily weaponized against us within America. Not many people ever consider that perspective. ❤️

This needs to be a TV series or movie. It is sad, but I love that she gave them a heck of a fight. As usual, very well done Stephanie!

I heard about this case before. This case is one of the reasons why you should never messed with a mother.

“I hope common sense finds you soon” is the best thing I’ve heard in a long time lol

she was killed on my birthday, that was genuinely shocking to hear. i was busy celebrating my birthday and someone was killed

can we all take a moment to appreciate Stephanie and her team 💓💓

There’s this book called Wolf Boys about two American teenagers who worked for the Zetas. They’re both in prison now but it is a wild book

I have lived in Arizona most of my life, and I can verify that not all Hispanics (let alone Mexicans) are part of a cartel, in fact, most are just people like you and me. I have seen those in the cartel, the ones they have "punished" and they do not make up the majority. But they control through intimidation, threats, and violence, and they do not bluff. This mother is a hero. I know that police are afraid to go against the cartel, I have seen police leave the area until the men have left, and only deal with the cleanup. It is terrifying. I was surprised with Sonoran police and Nogales (AZ) police worked together to take down a few members years ago. Because no one would do it alone.

I remember this story of a Russian village that was taken over by bears. People avoided going out at night or alone, and the local authorities would escort people who needed to run errands. The way Stephanie describes this town in Mexico reminds me of that (minus bears) which is crazy.

hey steph, stay safe. cartels are very dangerous to even talk about nowadays

My god this story is so haunting yet powerful

The reason people believe that about regular citizens in the cartel is not because of citizens want to be a part of it but it's because they're used by the cartel.

On behalf of all my innocent Mexican people, I thank you for clarifying and telling the truth about these evil cartels. Much love and respect keep up your great work !!

there is nothing more feared than a mother unaware of their childs location

Thank you for this one. It hits close to home, the zetas killed my cousin her husband and shot their one year old daughter while celebrating her first birthday in Zacatecas. Needless to say our hatred for the zetas runs deep.

Miriam is literally a legend.

As a Mexican thank you for the support and helping people to understand that not all of us are the bad guys, we also suffer and have family and friends that die because of this situation ❤ thanks

What a story...that's scary. ..those poor poor families the grief must be so overwhelmingly painful

This story deeply impacted me before I became a mother, but now that I am a mother of twins, I am even more impacted. A mother’s love is like NO OTHER. I would do anything for my sons. This woman is a hero to me.

i had a close family member who was kidnapped by a cartel affiliated gang, in a latin american country but not in mexico, it is the most terrifying thing we've ever experience. we were SO lucky we got her back and they just wanted money, and we had to take out loans and borrow from friends to cover her ransom. it DEEPLY saddens and destroys me that these cartels terrorize their OWN people, their own community, knowing exactly how we live well below our means. whats worse is that they also grew up in the same environment as us and still choose to terrorize the community that helped raised them. miriam is a true hero, and an amazing mother. thank you for covering this case stephanie, and take care of yourself!

There is something about having non-Mexican people talking about how the cartel violence has impacted Mexican people. A lot of tv shows show the violence, but rarely address how messed up things are. I really appreciate Stephanie talking about how peoples daily lives were impacted. When we visited our family in Tamaulipas everyone goes about their day as usual, but there are small reminders of the tension that is there. Like the heavily armed marines that are deployed, abandoned homes that have been shot at, and avoiding certain parts with more activity. It definitely has an impact on the psyche of people that live there.

A mother, a queen❤️❤️❤️ She said that they will pay for what they did to her baby and she truly did ! She went out like a badass and i am in awe. Rest in peace and power Miriam🙏🏾👏

Hey Stephanie!! I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard effort and focus on your content, along with the rest of your team. Every video you make demonstrates how much you care about the people out here and how committed and passionate you are. I'm wishing you the best in anything you do going forward! I hope your mental health is well and that you're taking care of yourself.

Stephanie, my uncle was kidnapped and held ransom by Los Zetas in Veracruz, 2010. I had to pack up my life and move to Mexico to take care of my GMA bc she went crazy. They asked for over 50k pesos. My grandpa had to identify his remains and to this day you can see the pain in his eyes as my uncle was discarded like trash, dismembered. Rest in peace my uncle Jazmani Aguilar Aguilar.

*Making money is an action. Keeping money is a behavior, but "Growing money is wisdom" I just saw this quote🔥*

“I hope common sense finds you soon” BARS 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you for the disclaimer and for covering this story. She's a hero, just like Madres Buscadoras.

the scariest people are parents who had nothing to lose... anymore. because they don't just lose someone, they lose their world.

When I was in high school, one of my friends used to send me videos of violent cartel murders. He would watch them and laugh, claiming it was something that every guy should be able to handle without flinching. Back then, I believed him because I was just a dumb teenager. So, I ended up watching those videos too. It was a huge mistake. The videos haunted me, and I couldn't sleep for a week because I kept having nightmares about what I had seen. I never tried to be edgy again 💀

Cartels are nothing but cowards

I had not finished readimg the title and I already knew who you were talking about. Such a sad story, but such a brave woman!

I can't believe the mother was killed in the end. At least deep down she was slowly accepting her daughters death.❤

Miriam, you are a amazing mother. You have all my respect, and i do think that you served justice, never a crime. You may rest in peace, side by side with your daughter, the world that was taken by you way too early❤

Why doesn’t Netflix pick up stories like this ??!! Would love to see an elaborate documentary on the mothers who fought for their missing kids…