Baja Bar Demands Answers for 15 Unsolved Attorney Killings

State police have failed to provide motives or make arrests in a recent surge of lawyer murders, says bar association president.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a lawyer's briefcase, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty, investigative nature of the unsolved attorney killings.The unsolved murders of lawyers in Baja California expose the growing dangers faced by legal professionals in the region.San Diego Today

The president of the Baja California Bar Association, David Jesús Rincón Rey, has condemned state police for failing to solve any of the 15 violent deaths of lawyers that have occurred in the last two years. Rincón Rey says the cases are often dismissed as crime-related without proper investigation, and that lawyers are increasingly exposed to threats and violence just for doing their jobs.

Why it matters

The high number of unsolved attorney killings in Baja California raises serious concerns about the safety and security of the legal profession in the region. Lawyers play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, and their ability to practice without fear of violence is essential for a functioning justice system.

The details

According to Rincón Rey, there has been a clear increase in the number of lawyers murdered in Baja California in recent years. During the previous governor's six-year term from 2013-2019, 12 lawyers were killed, compared to more than 15 during the last four years under the current governor. Rincón Rey says the police often dismiss the cases as being crime-related, with 'rumors circulating' that the lawyers were involved in drug trafficking or other illicit activities, despite a lack of evidence. The bar association is now pushing for measures to protect threatened lawyers, such as the use of bulletproof vests.

  • Over the last two years, 15 lawyers have been violently killed in Baja California.
  • During the 2013-2019 term of former governor Francisco Vega, 12 lawyers were killed.
  • During the 2019-2021 term of former governor Jaime Bonilla, 5 attorneys were killed.
  • The current governor, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, has been in office for the last four years.

The players

David Jesús Rincón Rey

The president of the Baja California Bar Association, who has condemned the lack of progress in investigating the murders of lawyers in the state.

Francisco Vega

The former governor of Baja California, who was in office from 2013 to 2019.

Jaime Bonilla

The former governor of Baja California, who was in office from 2019 to 2021.

Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda

The current governor of Baja California, who has been in office for the last four years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In none of these cases have they told us why they were murdered. Instead of possible motives behind the various murders, only justifications exist.”

— David Jesús Rincón Rey, President, Baja California Bar Association

“Rumors circulate, or are simply tossed around, suggesting they were likely involved in drug trafficking, laundering money, or that they had four wives. There is always a pretext, lawyers are not saints, nor do they aspire to be.”

— David Jesús Rincón Rey, President, Baja California Bar Association

“Nowadays, we are exposed even for handling a divorce, serving as a business owner's attorney, or filing for alimony.”

— David Jesús Rincón Rey, President, Baja California Bar Association

“We are requesting measures such as the use of bulletproof vests, because some of these threats have actually materialized. We have grown accustomed to violence in our daily routines, we consider it normal — however, we realize that this is not normal.”

— David Jesús Rincón Rey, President, Baja California Bar Association

What’s next

The Baja California Bar Association is continuing to push for the creation of guidelines to ensure that the violent deaths of lawyers are treated as serious incidents and that threatened lawyers are entitled to police protection.

The takeaway

The high number of unsolved attorney killings in Baja California highlights the growing dangers faced by legal professionals in the region and the urgent need for improved investigation and protection measures to safeguard the rule of law.