The mummies themselves were never "stolen" originally; they were exhumed due to a burial tax
~1,450. Tone: Investigative, respectful of Mexican culture, suspenseful but factual.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) recently accused the museum of further mistreatment after a mummy's arm fell off during renovations. Where to Watch or Read More El robo de las momias de Guanajuato (1972) - IMDb
Just four weeks after the robbery, an anonymous tip was called into the municipal police. The voice—distorted by an electronic modulator—said in Spanish: “Busquen en el viejo asilo.” (Look in the old asylum).
Forensic examination revealed that the mummies had been and re-dressed in different clothing. Don Jesús Reyes, who had worn a simple cotton shirt for 108 years, was now found in a 1920s military jacket. One child mummy had been painted with gold leaf on the fingernails.
: The local government, which manages the mummies as a lucrative tourist attraction generating about $2 million annually , denied the "theft". They argued that the bodies were simply in storage or being rotated, but the lack of a clear paper trail led to public outcries that the city's heritage was being "stolen" through mismanagement. Recent Mismanagement Scandals (2024)
