By VICTORIA TRAXLER | The Santa Fe New Mexican | Published: May 12, 2021
SANTA FE, N.M. (Tribune News Service) — Elizabeth Rivera received the call Monday afternoon from the state Office of the Medical Investigator: A body recovered late last week from the Rio Grande was that of her son.
She was devastated to learn her son — 20-year-old National Guardsman Juan Muñoz — had died, Rivera said.
But she also was relieved the Taos family could bring him home and lay him to rest nearly three months after he disappeared.
"He was the best son that you could have," Rivera said in Spanish. "He was very respectful, caring, serious and a hard worker. He was so mature for someone who was 20 years old, and he really cared for the well-being of others."