A man’s body, bound and blindfolded, was discovered Wednesday morning beneath the Kontiki Bridge on the Carretera Escénica (Tijuana-Ensenada Scenic Highway) near kilometer 31 in Rosarito. The victim’s hands were tied and his face was covered with adhesive tape, according to multiple reports. The body showed clear signs of violence.
Personnel from CAPUFE (Caminos y Puentes Federales, the federal roads and bridges agency) and the National Guard arrived to secure the scene. They cordoned off the area while awaiting investigators from the FGE (Fiscalía General del Estado, Baja California’s State Attorney General’s office) and forensic services teams.
Second Body at Same Location in Two Weeks
This is at least the second body found at or near the same overpass in less than two weeks. On May 16, a male victim with gunshot wounds was discovered along the same stretch of the Scenic Highway. Authorities have not publicly linked the two cases, and no suspects have been identified in either incident.
The Kontiki Bridge sits along one of the most scenic and heavily traveled coastal roads in Baja California. The highway connects Tijuana and Rosarito to Ensenada and runs along dramatic Pacific Ocean cliffs. Thousands of expats, tourists, and local residents drive this route every week to reach beach communities, restaurants, and surf spots between Rosarito and Ensenada.
A Familiar Pattern on Baja’s Roads
Bodies left at bridges and overpasses have been a recurring tactic associated with organized crime in Baja California for years. The Scenic Highway, while popular with visitors, passes through stretches that are relatively isolated, particularly at night. The Kontiki area sits roughly 20 miles south of Tijuana and about 10 miles south of central Rosarito.
The victim’s identity has not been released. Investigators from the FGE are handling the case. Travelers on the Carretera Escénica should be aware of the security situation in the area, particularly after dark.
This story was first reported by Ensenada.net and El Imparcial.