Originally published June 24, 2019 at 9:12 a.m., updated June 24, 2019 at 12:14 p.m.
MISSION, Texas (AP) — Four people, including three children, found dead in South Texas near the border with Mexico likely died of dehydration and heat exposure after crossing the Rio Grande into the U.S., authorities said today.
A law-enforcement official close to the investigation told The Associated Press the four were overcome by the heat and foul play is not suspected. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person isn't authorized to speak publicly about the bodies found Sunday.
Hidalgo County sheriff's Sgt. Frank Medrano said earlier the bodies of a woman in her early 20s, a toddler and two infants were found in or near Anzalduas Park, which borders the river in the city of Mission.
Authorities believe they may have been dead for days before being discovered. The FBI is leading the investigation into the deaths because the park is on federal land.
"It's an incredibly heart-breaking situation," the agency said in a statement.
The names of the four have not been released and authorities are working to determine their country of origin.
Medrano said the area is commonly used by migrants entering the country illegally.
"It's a well-known route because it's so close to the border," he said.
Constable Larry Gallardo told The Monitor newspaper in McAllen the terrain can be difficult to traverse.
"There's a lot of brush," he said. "It's like ranch land, there's no difference."
The Rio Grande Valley sector of the Border Patrol, which includes the area where the four bodies were found Sunday, has experienced an unprecedented number of apprehensions involving people entering the country illegally.
MISSION, Texas (AP) — A sheriff in South Texas says Border Patrol agents have discovered the bodies of four people, including three children, within a wildlife management area near the border.
Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra tells the McAllen Monitor that the dead appeared to be two infants, a toddler and a woman in her early 20s. The sheriff told a newspaper they may have been dead for a few days by the time they were discovered Sunday in Las Palomas Wildlife Management area near the Rio Grande River.
The newspaper reports that area is known locally as El Rincon del Diablo, or the Devil's Corner, and is often used for illegal border crossings.
The sheriff said on Twitter that the FBI will investigate the deaths.