KRISTV.com
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS | CONTINUOUS NEWS COVERAGE
Powered by
Local News
Brooks Co. Cemetery Running Out of Space Due to Immigrant Remains
Posted: Mar 6, 2013 8:49 AM
Updated: Mar 6, 2013 10:21 AM
BROOKS COUNTY - In the last year, Brooks County has found 129 unidentified bodies of immigrants in their county. When the bodies can't be identified, they end up in the Brooks County Cemetery.
Only problem is now, the cemetery is running out of space. And with the number of unidentified bodies rising, the county is running out of ideas.
In fact, the cemetery is do desperate for space that they've started to bury bodies on a small patch of land that's right up against their property land. Land that was never intended to be used for burials.
County Judge Raul Ramirez is trying to help the cemetery as fast as he can.
"That's why the county is trying to acquire more land," he says.
The unidentified bodies are a financial burden on the county as well. County officials say the average body costs $2,000 to take care of. That includes collecting the remains, taking them a mortuary, having them analyzed, etc.
The county has partnered with Baylor University to help solve this problem. Baylor has a program that uses state of the art forensic methods to identify some of these remains and reunited families with their lost loved ones.
And whether it's the financial difficulties or desperately trying to get more space for these bodies, Ramirez believes the county is doing it's best to deal with an unprecedented problem.
"No other county has 129 bodies in one year, and we've handled it. So, Brooks County has stepped up to the plate and done not only what the law says to do, but more than anybody else would ever have to do," he says.
In short, the county wants to do what it can to bring identities to those, who at the moment, have none.
Video On Demand
Submit News
Do you have a tip, information about a breaking news story, or a story idea for 6 Investigates? Contact the KRIS 6 News Desk at 361-884-6666 or send us an email.
Most Popular
KRISTV.COM is Social!
Click the icons above to receive News, Weather, and Sports alerts from KRISTV.COM!
Inside KRISTV.COM
 |
Photo Central Look at photos and videos and share them! |
 |
Desktop Weather Current forecast, hurricane info, and much more! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Website Get KRISTV.com on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Apps Get our mobile apps on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
Texas Lottery See the latest winning numbers! |
 |
6 News Team Read about your favorite KRIS-TV personalities! |
 |
FCC Online Public File FCC Public File of Records, Reports, and more |
Comments