Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Benjamin LeBaron kidnapped and killed in Chihuahua
Share:
by patgarcia | July 9, 2009 at 06:00 am
5780 views | 63 Recommendations | 39 comments
Videos
SECUESTRAN Y ASESINAN A LÍDER MORMÓN DE LA COLONIA LE BARÓN EN CHIHUAHUA
sourced by patgarcia
Photos
Benjamin LeBaron was member of a Mormon community in the state of Chihuahua Mexico, he spoke with the well known Mexican northern accent yet he was also a U.S citizen.
He had become the leader of a protest to demand more protection from the government against kidnapping activities, he also made the refusal to pay any more ransoms very clear. A couple of days after he initiated the protest, his brother Eric 13, was released but kidnappings continued. He became a fierce anti kidnapping activist.
It is believed Benjamin Lebaron and Luis Stubbs were killed in revenge or as a warning. It is said a note was found on their back saying ¨Are you afraid now?¨ There are other versions that state the note said ¨another U.S. citizen is next.¨
There is a massive operation taking place in the area of the murders.
CHIHUAHUA, Mexico -- Two U.S. citizens were kidnapped and killed in the Mexican border state of Chihuahua. The men are dual Mexican and U.S. citizens and lived in a region that is home to many Mormons.
Benjamin LeBaron was murdered along with his brother-in-law Luis Stubbs.
The men were reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint during a home invasion. Their bodies were dumped with a note saying it was a revenge killing.
LeBaron had become a public face for families coping with rampant kidnapping in the border state of Chihuahua.
"We want to be an inspiration and the conscience of all afflicted people from kidnapping. That's what we're here for," Le Baron said after his 15-year-old brother Eric was kidnapped in May.
Interview with Benjamin LeBaron
¨We have to be responsible for our freedom¨ He said at some point during the way. He believed what´s happening in Mexico is wrong ¨if we want to have a life of tranquility freedom and peace, we have to earn it, betting everything we have, it is in the magnitude of our bet where our wish to accomplish our goal will be.
The conviction in his words was as potent as the root of his words. The man was built of one piece, solid in his ideas in his words and actions.
As we visited his ranch he talked about the history of his family since the first ones to arrive to the Valley of Le Baron and how they chose their farming land by looking at the kind of bushes that grew on them, how they built the fertility of the soil with their own hands, how they grew their cattle and how their efforts have prevailed up to this day when Benjamin and his brothers were collecting the fruits and seeds of that effort.
“Hay que tener responsabilidad por nuestra libertad”, comentó él en algún punto durante el camino. Sostenía que lo que sucede en México hoy está muy mal, pero que si queremos tener una vida tranquila, libre y pacífica, pues nos la tenemos que ganar, apostando por ella todo lo que tengamos. Y en la magnitud de esa apuesta estará nuestro deseo de ver cristalizada nuestra meta. La convicción con la que hablaba era tan potente como la raíz de su voz. El hombre estaba hecho de una sola pieza. Sólido en sus ideas, sus palabras y sus acciones.
De visita en el rancho habló sobre la historia de su familia, desde los primeros que llegaron al Valle de Le Barón. De cómo seleccionaron tierras de cultivo al mirar el tipo de arbusto que crecía en ellas, de cómo construyeron con sus manos la fertilidad del valle, cómo crecieron ganado y cómo han prevalecido las gotas de su esfuerzo en los frutos y las semillas que hoy cosechaban él y sus hermanos.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most Recommended Comment
REBECCA LUJAN (not verified)
Crowd Power
patgarcia
La Paz, Mexico
Related Stories
Recommendations (63)
SamirJ
Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Spydermonkey
huntsville, Alabama, United States
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
DNA Solutions
Beverly Hills, California, United States
Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
caj1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Barbara McPherson
Nanaimo, Canada
RoryKearney
Voorhees, New Jersey, United States
Tina Kells
Vancouver, Canada
Jennings David L
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (39)
at 07:46 on July 9th, 2009
Very very sad.
at 08:11 on July 9th, 2009
He was a brave voice standing up against organized crime bands, predators of humanity.
at 12:21 on July 10th, 2009
HE WAS COMPLETELY WRONG WHEN HE REFUSED TO PAY TO THE KIDNAPERS BESIDES MORMONS ARE NOT THE BEST PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET THEY ARE PEDO´S KILLER POLYGAMIST ETC AND THEY JUMBLE THE HOLY BIBLE
at 14:30 on July 15th, 2009
Hey Rod! I agree with 3 of your views 1) the pedo remark 2) Killers and 3) the Jumble of the Bible (Which they claim to interpret correctly), You lost me when you said they should have paid the ramson? The only time you pay in life is when you have a debt. You think they have a debt?
at 18:42 on August 2nd, 2009
Im his brother, and you are an ignorant idiot, who thinks reading the bible in a certain way makes you better then those who give their life for freedom, what have you done?
at 08:21 on August 4th, 2009
I'm honest, I go to work, work hard pay my taxes, love my neighbor by this I mean I don't cheat, lie or steal from my neighbor. I practice "Do onto others" or in simple kindergarden terms live by the Golden Rule.
I honor my Mother and Father by living this way. I do my family, my neighbors and my country good. GOD willing I will continue this lifestyle for a long time.
If your words "Ignorant Idiot" falls under the above way of living, I will agree with you, fair enough?
at 16:07 on August 20th, 2009
Hi Julian, it's your cousin Marlen in San Diego. When your brother, my cousin Benji was first killed, I had a very hard time with it. I only want you to know that, because I know we don't really ever talk and I don't get to go to LeBaron much, but it hit very hard and I know your pain, your mom Mona's pain , your fathers pain and the pain of his family is much greater. Our family in San Diego as well as close friends of my fiancee and mine thought of our family in LeBaron with so much love, that will continue forever <3 keep in touch, my email is marlen.lebaron@yahoo.com Love, Tu Prima Marlen
at 12:28 on July 10th, 2009
i meant pedos and killers not pedo´s killer
at 12:38 on July 10th, 2009
HE WAS A MORMON AND MORMONS ARE HORRBLE PPL THEY HAVE SEX WITH YOUNG GIRLS EVEN WITH THEIR OWN CHILD
at 13:05 on July 10th, 2009
HEY ROD MX NO MAMES GUEY
Los mormones no son poligamos.
at 13:32 on July 10th, 2009
ROD MX- you are WRONG about Benjamin. He was killed for standing up for children!! Do the world a favor and don't speak out of ignorance.
at 14:52 on July 10th, 2009
Have you guys ever seen HBO Tv show BIG LOVE ??
it´s abou mormons corruption and dominance over women and everything against the law they force underage girls to marry old guys i´m not ignorant u know !!
at 09:42 on July 22nd, 2009
HBO TV SHOW BIG LOVE is not reality, it is only a show. You cannot base your comments on a tv show..... that only shows your ignorance about the subject. I am a member of the Church and a woman, and the Church does not support any dominance over anybody.
Polygamy has not been practiced since the 1800's. The Lebarons of Chihuahua separated themselves from the Mormon church after that time forming their own religion. They are good hardworking people. They do not harm anyone. They should be respected about their religion just as you would like to be respected about yours. Their assassination was a terrible injustice. We hope their innocent families will recover from such brutality.
at 13:55 on July 22nd, 2009
this is for Mormon woman. Big Love couldn't be film on location because LeBaron is too disgusting. Regarding the history of your church you better do some research, the founder of this church Joseph Smith (1805-44) started this practice in 1830, it was not stoped until the law in the USA made it a crime, instead of obeying this law or many others the LeBaron's (And others) fled to Mexico and other parts of the world to continue their (Sick) life style. Respect doesn't grow on trees you have to earn it.
I have the feeling these (two) widows and their orphans are going to be just fine and problaly thanks to good citizens who pay their taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up in the USA.
at 17:51 on August 1st, 2009
I lived in a subdivision beside two mormon families in St Louis. The men were there to get their medical degrees. The women are not far from muslim women in some of their attitudes. I saw the HBO Show Big Love and thought it was purty darned realistic ..but there are as many "denominations" (not a word they would use but what christians do) as any others Someone always has a better interpretation. I enjoyed being with the women since I am an artist...cook...gardner etc. I did start studying literature about all the stuff they believe thos and was amazed. The movie touched on some of it. They built a temple in St Louis just a few years ago. Here again as the muslims..they pilgrimage to this place for it is only allowed for certain worthy people to be married there. It looks good on the outside but it is as corrupt as any other "organization" . In my opinion it is definitely crossing lines with the girls...they are like property and are handed over like it too in different places. The dude who recently called himself a Prophet..UGH.. They like secrets. ..secret rituals ..I like rituals too but ones I stumble upon as an artist when I am creating something. It isolates them from the mainstream right away they are taught to fear secular people or anyone of a different faith. They are like the black radicals..as soon as they look at you ...you could be the devil trying to contaminate them.
I think it is sad that Romney was excluded probably because he was one .. He would have done a better job for sure with the auto industry and other economic issues.
Some of them do live like cults but many do not...just as Christians ..many are authenticand many are whack jobs.
Polygamy is practiced too ..perhaps not approved thru the main church authoritarians.
at 08:18 on July 25th, 2009
What you write proves how little you know..What an idiot.
at 15:24 on July 28th, 2009
You dont know these men. I understand that you have an opinion about what poligamy is like, but you dont know anything.
On that show, the young girls are forced into the marriages. In our community however, everyone has a choice. Men do not presure us into marriage, we chose it on our own.
We beleive in poligamy as part of our religion. The reason it is still practiced is because we do not beleive it is up to the US govermnet to decided when it should stop, We beleive it is God's decison.
And we do not misinterprate the bible. We beleive the same as other christians, we just beleive in the Book of Morman as well. It is a seperate book, not an add on to the Bible.
at 17:46 on August 1st, 2009
we do not beleive it is up to the US govermnet to decided when it should stop
Sorry but the majority of the people do believe the government has a right to force some laws when it comes to young girls and boys. I do too.
QH
at 16:28 on July 10th, 2009
Benjamin LeBaron had nothing to do with BIG LOVE! So why do you need to reference it here? That is either ignorance or stupidity. If other people do that then fine go bug them, but Benjiamin was a HERO and you don't need to bring up something completely irrelevant to who he was!
at 19:49 on July 10th, 2009
very 3rd worldish
at 22:03 on July 10th, 2009
k triste k los carteles esten matando la belleza d nuestro estado. yo recuerdo cuando chiwas eran un lugar de diversidad y paz, abemos de todas razas y religiones y nos respetamos mutuamente y todos somos parte de nuesto nuestro estado los k no son bienvenidos y ojala y se largen so los matones y genocidas. pero esto pasara y todos volveremos a ver nuestro bello estado volver a su esplenor. viva chihuauhua!
at 06:39 on July 11th, 2009
Mormons are Individuals just like you ROD MX, they have the right to practice whatever they like, just like every single person out there... Big Love is a MOVIE don't you know the difference???? And just because one Mormon did something totally stupid, doesn't mean they're all the same... or responsible for anyone's actions because they belong to the same church....
at 12:52 on July 15th, 2009
That's right Isabel, Mormons are individuals that can practice anything they want (As long as they don't harm others or children in the process or brake the law) just like ROD MIX. ROD MIX happens to be practicing freedom of speech therefore he can say anything he wants, even if is obout Big Love (Which by the way I have never watch but I heard of. One thing I have watch is the dirty life style this polygamist live here in the USA and there in (Le Baron ) their town.
at 15:18 on July 28th, 2009
I'm sorry that you think you know soo much about how disgusting poligomy is but you dont. Youre an idiot who thinks they know everything. I'm from LeBaron, i knew these men. They where my uncles and they where two of the best men I know. so dont say they where these disgusting pigs because we grew up to respect poligomy.
You may think ppolygamy became illegal because its "disgusting" but i happen to know it was because the mormons where growing too fast and the government became scared that they woould try to take over the government. However we are a very peacful people and if you knew anything you would understand that you have no right to judge them.
My uncles did not practice poligamy, so quite talking crap. And as for the people in our comunity who do ractice it that is entierly their choice to make. You have no right to judge them for it.
And dont tell isabelto get her facts straight when you dont have your right either.
at 11:15 on July 29th, 2009
My dear you have nothing to be sorry about, in less you would like to opologize for using foul lenguage. Making use of bad words when speaking shows a lack of an education, try stating your opinion without them. I know plenty obout LeBaron. Your Uncles were a product of polygami and if they weren't is problably becuase they didn't live long enough. Please don't put words in my mouth. I never called them pigs. Polygamy became illegal because we have laws, The Constitution had to be written in order that we may live in a civil and moral society.
I'm far from a Judge, that's why the court system exist that in not me. the other Judge is in heaven. The only remark you made that makes any sense is that Mormon's are polygamist You can't ask me not to speak "Crap Your words not mine", I'm execizing a right just like you.
at 17:11 on August 1st, 2009
I'm sorry for my use of language, but you see these men were my uncles. They meant a great deal to me and it pains me see them talked about by strangers who dont understand our lifestyle. I respect that you've done you research about polygamy, but in all truth you can never understand why we live by this princaple untill you truly understand our religion.
We have a long history that most people dont know or dont fully comprehend. We are not like most mormons today. When the government outlawed polygamy the mormon church split. some followed the leaders of the present day LDS church, while others followed my great grandfather. The people who followed my great grandfather did not beleive the government had a right to change our beleifs. And this law was made because mormon were growing to quickly. You see in the days of Joseph Smith many people hated the mormons and when they began to grow and prosper so quickly they became frightened that w wouldd try to take over the government. That is one of the main reasons it wa outlawed. And im sure there are others but i know this was a great factor in passing the law.
I understand that you do not particularlly like polygamy, but i ask that you respect it because it will continue to grow
at 08:30 on August 20th, 2009
i think rod mix or whatever and this one who know need to shut it u guys dont know anything about these people and if u levied in mexico and knew how corrupt it is u would not judge these men because of their religion. Let them be y do u have to bring up poligamy thats not the subject here the subject is that they stood up for what these two men stood up for which is a very very scary thing to do in mexico kids r being killed by these cartels it horrible u should look it up stop critisizing them for their religion and if this girl is telling u they didnt practice poligamy y u bringing it up. I dont know much about their religion or anything but put that aside they did something or tried to do something great for mexico but unfortunately did not succeed i know one of benjis sister and she is an honest women who does NOT practice poligamy. so put poligamy aside and stick to the subject which is what they tried to do for their community i wish u would go to mexico ur dumb ass would be shot talking all ur crap idiot
at 10:04 on July 11th, 2009
The people of Galeana in Lebaron Valley Chihuahua Mexico are known to be peaceful, hard working people of integrity and moral values, that is why this crime has reached the national Mexican media with such strength.
at 10:07 on July 11th, 2009
Benjamin was a good person. He risked his life for everyone else. He had one wife, 5 kids.
He was a hard worker, drywaller, buisiness owner, farmer. A martyr.................................
at 08:25 on July 15th, 2009
I personally know Benji and Wiso since they were little kids, and they were good people hard workers, I'm from LeBaron, and even if we don't have the same culture or religion I respect there believes, I was there on vacation when all this happen, and this is horrible people is living in panic it feels like a War zone whit army everywhere, what use to be a pacific state and little towns, now is a target for crime...
My sincere condolences to Miri and all her family cause she lost not only her husband but her brother too...
Para toda la gente de Galeana peleen y luchen por la paz que estos terroristas no sigan aterrorizando nuestro estado, queriendo tomar ventaja de lo que otros tienen... Unanse porque un pueblo unido puede hacer mucho mas que las mismas autoridades.
Gracias a toda la gente de LeBaron por el valor que han tenido al denunciar el crimen aun sabiendo que sus vidas estan en peligro... Y como dice el banner que tienen a la entrada del pueblo; "El respeto al derecho ajeno es la PAZ".