Authorities say her seven children were found safe as investigators pursue a homicide case in southern Mexico.
ZINACANTÁN, Mexico — An Indianapolis mother who disappeared with her seven children earlier this year was found dead in southern Mexico this week, authorities said, ending a months-long search that crossed international borders and raising new questions about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Makala Pendley, 30, who family members said was about six months pregnant, was identified by authorities in Chiapas after her body was discovered June 8 near a rural road in the municipality of Zinacantán. Mexican prosecutors said her seven children were later located alive and in protective custody. Officials have arrested Pendley’s partner as the primary suspect while investigators continue gathering evidence in the case. The developments mark a dramatic turn in a disappearance that began in February and drew attention from both U.S. and Mexican authorities. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Pendley and her children were reported missing in late February after concerns were raised about their whereabouts. Indianapolis authorities later determined that the family had traveled to Mexico. According to information released by investigators, Mexican authorities located the children at one point and temporarily took them into custody before they were returned to Pendley. Months later, the case took a tragic turn when local residents discovered a woman’s body along a dirt road in the Chiapas region. State officials subsequently confirmed the victim was Pendley. Prosecutor Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca said preliminary findings indicated that she died from traumatic brain injuries caused by blunt-force trauma. Authorities estimated that her body had been left at the location several hours before it was found. The discovery prompted an intensive investigation that quickly focused on a man identified by officials as Pendley’s partner. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Mexican prosecutors said the seven children were found alive and in good condition. Officials placed them under protective care while arrangements began for relatives and U.S. authorities to assist with their return. Authorities have not publicly identified the children because they are minors. Prosecutors said the suspect, identified in public statements as Joseph “N” or Joseph Jude Butler Jr., was taken into custody and is being investigated as the principal suspect in the killing. Officials in Chiapas described the case as a femicide investigation, a legal classification in Mexico used when a woman is killed because of her gender. Investigators have not publicly released a complete account of the events leading to Pendley’s death, and several questions remain unanswered, including where she spent her final days and whether anyone else may have been involved. Prosecutors said additional forensic work and witness interviews are continuing. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Family members described Pendley as a devoted mother whose life centered on her children. Relatives told reporters that she had been involved in a long and complicated relationship with Butler. Public reports indicate that authorities in Mexico had previously responded to allegations involving the couple, and prosecutors noted that Butler had prior criminal issues in the United States. Family members said they were shocked by the outcome of the investigation and struggled to process the news after months of uncertainty. The case also drew attention because Pendley was pregnant at the time of her disappearance. Relatives said she had been expecting another child when she left Indiana. As details emerged from Mexico, family members focused on efforts to bring the children and Pendley’s remains back to the United States. A fundraising campaign was launched to help support the children and cover related expenses. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The investigation now moves into the legal phase. Prosecutors in Chiapas said the suspect remains in custody while authorities prepare formal proceedings. Officials indicated they intend to pursue the strongest penalties available under Mexican law if the evidence supports a conviction. Investigators are continuing to review forensic findings, collect testimony, and reconstruct the timeline leading up to Pendley’s death. Coordination between Mexican authorities, the U.S. Embassy, and family members is also underway to facilitate the return of the children and Pendley’s body. Officials have not announced a trial date, and prosecutors have not disclosed all evidence collected so far. The case remains active, and authorities said additional information could be released as the investigation progresses. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
For relatives, the focus has shifted from searching for answers to mourning a loss they never expected. Pendley’s sister described the news as devastating and said the family is concentrating on helping the children through the aftermath. Other relatives recalled Pendley’s personality, saying she brought energy and warmth to family gatherings and remained committed to her children despite difficult circumstances. Community members in Indianapolis and supporters online expressed sympathy as news of the case spread. While investigators continue their work in Mexico, family members have emphasized their hope that the children will soon be reunited with loved ones in Indiana and begin rebuilding their lives after months of uncertainty. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Authorities said the children remain under protection while arrangements continue for their transfer to relatives. Prosecutors have indicated that the homicide investigation remains active, with further updates expected as court proceedings and forensic reviews move forward. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Author note: Last updated June 10, 2026.