Two New Mexico boys reported missing two weeks ago were found deceased on Monday, according to the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that authorities found 15-year-old Collin Romero and 14-year-old Ahmed Lateef buried west of Rio Rancho, although authorities are not disclosing the exact location. According to the spokesperson for the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Keith Elder, investigators also located clothing that “contained evidence of a violent crime.”
“Further investigation resulted in the discovery of two bodies that were buried and recovered. The bodies were taken to the Office of the Medical Investigator and identified as Collin Romero, 15, of Albuquerque and Ahmed Lateef, 14, of Albuquerque.”
A medical examiner is currently trying to determine the boys’ cause of death. No suspects have been arrested at this time.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, both boys were allegedly beaten while someone captured the incident and shared it on Snapchat, although it’s unclear when the video was taken. Since then, the boys had not been seen or heard from.
Collin’s mother, Amanda Kimbrel, reported her son missing after someone told her about the the video. According to Crime Stoppers, the pair may have been involved in a marijuana deal near Tivoli and Golden Gate NE, when something went wrong.
Kimbrel, who told KOB4 that Christmas was not the same without her son, said that Snapchat has the video of the alleged attack but hasn’t handed it over to authorities yet.
“They were being beaten very, very brutally, pistol-whipped,” Kimbrel explained. “Snapchat has this information and they are refusing to hand it over.”
Spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department, Simon Drobik, explained that the boys were bleeding and appeared to have broken bones in the video. Police are reportedly awaiting the information after providing Snapchat with a search warrant, according to the outlet.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can be submitted via the P3 Tips mobile app or at P3tips.com.
The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
*Editor’s Note*- The boys’ location originally read California. It has been changed to reflect the victims were from New Mexico.
[Feature Photo: Collin Romero and Ahmed Lateef/Albuquerque PD]
