A PAIR of teenagers allegedly murdered their teacher before trying to feed his body to crocodiles.
Diego Yasmar Barrales San Juan was kidnapped and severely beaten before his captors issued a chilling ransom demand to his family.
One of the teenage suspects arrested by police[/caption]
The teacher, 40, was leaving his home in Mexico when he was bundled off to a remote location.
His devastated family said his kidnappers then demanded a payment of 2m MXN (£76,700) in exchange for his release.
His aunt, María Amada del Socorro, told local media: “But no ransom was paid, which is why they killed him.
“We don’t have that kind of money. We live from paycheck to paycheck.”
It is understood Diego – who vanished on August 6 – was repeatedly beaten before he was killed.
His cause of death is unclear.
The teacher’s car was found on a country road in Álamo Temapache, north-east of Mexico City, the next day.
That night, his body was found floating in the croc-infested Pantepec River in nearby Tuxpan.
Amada said: “The body was found in the river where there are crocodiles, with the intention of having them get rid of it.
“But the crocodiles didn’t touch it.”
Two sixth-form pupils – aged 17 and 18 – were arrested on September 6.
They have been charged with kidnapping with aggravating factors.
The teenagers have not been charged with murder yet, however.
They are both former pupils of the teacher and one was his neighbour, according to reports.
Police believe they likely had another motive in addition to monetary gain, NeedToKnow reports.
Amada added: “All we ask for is justice and for the truth to come out.
“We’re not here to condemn anyone – we just don’t want this to go unpunished.”