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Mom went on Taken-style mission to hunt down 10 involved in daughter’s murder one by one
A mother’s life changed forever when her 20-year-old daughter was abducted and killed by members of one of Mexico’s most violent criminal gangs. Miriam Rodríguez Martínez was an ordinary businesswoman living in San Fernando, Tamaulipas when her daughter Karen Alejandra Salinas Rodríguez was taken in 2012 and later found murdered in a clandestine grave.
Frustrated with authorities who were unable to fully solve the case, Rodríguez refused to let the pain stop her. She became deeply involved in finding those responsible herself.
Her actions drew attention far beyond her home state. For years she led efforts that helped bring about the arrests of multiple suspects. By 2017, Rodríguez had helped identify 10 cartel members linked to her daughter’s killing, and she shared information with police that contributed to their capture. She also founded a collective supporting families of the disappeared with more than 600 members.
Rodríguez’s work made her a public figure in Mexico’s fight against violent organised crime, and her death came on a day that held personal significance for many.
How she tracked down suspects
Rodríguez used a range of undercover techniques to gather information about the gang members involved in Karen’s abduction and murder. She changed her appearance, adopted false identities, spent time with relatives of suspects and built detailed knowledge of their movements and connections. That intelligence enabled the authorities to locate and detain those connected with the case over a period of several years.
Her efforts also included providing data that led to other crimes being uncovered, and on at least one occasion she alerted the army to a kidnapping attempt on her husband, resulting in the arrest of the assailants.
What happened to Miriam
On May 10, 2017, which is Mexico’s Mother’s Day, Rodríguez was shot dead by armed attackers who entered her home in San Fernando. She was hit multiple times and died on the way to the hospital.
Her death prompted public outcry, with human rights groups calling for a thorough investigation and authorities vowing to pursue those responsible. A plaque in her honour was placed in the central plaza of San Fernando to recognise her efforts and courage.
Rodríguez’s dedication became well known internationally and her story has inspired discussions about the risks faced by families confronting violent criminal organisations when official channels fail to deliver answers.