A recent investigation by NBC News has highlighted a heartbreaking story involving the body of a young Venezuelan woman, shedding light on the treatment of unclaimed bodies in the Dallas area. Arelis Coromoto Villegas, the mother of 21-year-old Aurimar Iturriago Villegas, is struggling with the deep grief of losing her daughter and the inability to give her a proper burial.
Aurimar was tragically killed during a road rage incident in October 2022 when a gunman shot into the car she was in, fatally wounding her. She had recently migrated to the U.S. from Colombia, hoping for a better life. Sadly, her life was cut short just a month after arriving in Texas.
As a part of the investigation into unclaimed bodies, it was revealed that Aurimar’s remains were sent to the University of North Texas Health Science Center, where they were used for scientific research without the family’s knowledge. This discovery left Arelis and her family devastated, as they had been spending years trying to arrange for her body to be returned to Venezuela for a proper funeral.
Arelis expressed her anguish, stating, “It’s a very painful thing. She’s not a little animal to be butchered.” The family had even raised a significant amount of money to cover the costs of repatriating Aurimar’s remains but faced overwhelming challenges in communicating with authorities.
After seeing her daughter’s name in the report, Arelis was shocked and heartbroken. She continues to grieve and struggle with the harsh reality of her daughter’s death, saying, “Every night I say, ‘My God, why did you take my daughter?’ I don’t accept my daughter’s death. Not yet.”
Aurimar was known for her determination, having left school at 16 to support her family. Her brother shared that she always sought a better future for them. After an arduous journey through South America, Aurimar finally reached Texas, where she was released by border authorities and lived with friends in the Dallas area until her untimely death.
Further investigations revealed that Aurimar’s remains had been sold to a private company for training purposes, with her body used to practice medical procedures. This information has left Arelis feeling outraged and hopeless about the possibility of recovering her daughter’s remains, as communication with local officials has been lacking.
In her pain, Arelis reflected, “Even though it hurts my soul, I think I’m going to throw in the towel and leave things in God’s hands.” The fight for her daughter’s dignity continues, overshadowed by the challenges and obstacles involved.
