river.52 In this regard, he indicated that Freddy Contreras had received the order “to eliminate” Mr. Palma and Jorge Jhon Mero Parrales from “the Cevallos.” 43. Based on the statement made by Lenín Ordoñez, it was presumed that the body found on May 26, 1997,53 was that of Mr. Palma. Following the said statement, on February 29, 2000, the XIth Judge of Manabí, ordered, inter alia, the Judicial Police to continue investigating the case and “to provide information on the presumed burial of the corpses of [Mr.] Palma Mendoza and Jorge Jhon Mero Parrales, in order to require their exhumation and proceed to the identification required by the law in this regard,” the inspection of the scene of the crime, and “the reconstruction of the crime.”54 Mr. Palma’s body was exhumed and identified on the same February 29.55 Two experts took part in the corresponding procedure; they, together with the Secretary of the respective court who was also present, had previously been sworn in by the XIth Judge of Manabí. Several members of Mr. Palma Mendoza’s family were also present, including his brothers Manuel Vicente and Carlos Alberto, both with the surnames Palma Mendoza; his son Luis Palma Bravo, and Lidia Bravo.56 Some family members collaborated in the excavation of the site where the body was located57 and, when it was found, Luis Palma Bravo extracted “the bones of his father,” after which his mother, Lidia Bravo, cleaned them.58 The body was identified because “the dentures were still intact and […] were recognized by Lidia […] Bravo.” 59 After Mr. Palma Mendoza’s body had been exhumed, it was taken “to the morgue […] where the sitting judge […] Roger Pico Benítez [and] Camilo Andrade, police doctor, were present; they carried out the inspection of the remains,” which were later removed by the family members. 60 According to the pertinent records, the authorities “proceed[ed] to remove the dentures from the exhumed body […] in order to make the necessary verifications.” 61 Subsequently, it was confirmed that the dentures belonged to Mr. Palma.62 Regarding the other measures ordered 52 Cf. Police Report No. 2000-128-PJ-M-COMPL., folios 1869 to 1879. It should be noted that, in the said report, it was indicated that Lenin Ordóñez referred to the “Cañar” river; nevertheless, other documents have mentioned the “Norcay” rive (cf. supra para. 35). 53 Cf. Supplementary report of the National Investigations Directorate of the National Police of Ecuador No. 2000-150-PJ-M-COMPL., of March 3, 2000, folios 25 to 36. 54 Cf. Judicial order of the XIth Judge of Manabí of February 29, 2000 (file of attachments to the pleadings and motions brief, attachment 19, folios 1503 to 1505). 55 Cf. Record of inspection and autopsy of the corpse signed by the experts Camilo B. Andrade Carrillo and Edwin G. Díaz, the Secretary Bernardo Zambrano, and the XIth Judge of Manabí, Roger Pico Benítez, dated February 29, 2000 (file of appendices to the Admissibility and Merits Report, appendix 25, folios 102 and 103). 56 Cf. Record of inspection and autopsy of the corpse, folios 102 and 103. 57 Cf. Report of February 29, 2000, sent to the Manta Chief of National Police, signed by police officer Nelson Carrión Cabrera (file of attachments to the pleadings and motions brief, attachment 17, folio 1490). 58 Cf. Statement made by Lidia Bravo before the Court, which was not contested by the State. 59 Cf. Report of February 29, 2000, sent to the Chief of National Police of Manta, folio 1490. 60 Cf. Report of February 29, 2000, sent to the Chief of National Police of Manta, folio 1490. 61 Cf. Report of February 29, 2000, sent to the Chief of National Police of Manta, folio 1490. 62 Cf. Odontological report of March 3, 2000, signed by Dr. Marlon Alvarado (file of attachments to the pleadings and motions brief, attachment 17, folio 1495). 15