Four days after Father Enrique Fabián Arcos, 53, disappeared in Ecuador, authorities found his body Nov. 3 in a pit about 18 miles north of Ambato, where he lived.

The crime was preceded by a robbery in Arcos’ house. CCTV footage from the area showed the priest was accompanied by three other men that day. Police confirmed on November 5 that they had fully identified the perpetrators.

According to local media, the perpetrators entered the priest’s house without forcing the doors. They tied up his mother, Rebeca Sevilla, 93, and took some of her possessions, including jewelry.

After that, they tried to take money from the priest’s bank accounts, police said, and when they failed, they decided to kill Arcos and left the house with him. His mother was able to free herself and shortly thereafter called for help.

Arcos’ body was found in a disturbing state, partially eaten by dogs and rodents – which required further forensic efforts, prompting authorities to send it to Ecuador’s capital, Quito. His car was found at another location, burnt to a cinder.

One of the key elements in the police investigation is that one of the men seen that day with the priest was a stranger Arcos allegedly knew.

According to Father Fabricio Dávila, spokesman for the Diocese of Ambato, “foreigner” is used as a euphemism for Venezuelan in Ecuador, given the Andean country’s vast immigrant and refugee community of people who have left Venezuela in recent years.

“Our Venezuelan brothers and sisters often live in very difficult conditions and already face terrible xenophobia,” he told OSV News.

Arcos used to work regularly in San Roque Parish in Huachi Chico, where many Venezuelans receive aid, especially food kits. He probably met one of the perpetrators there.

“Father Arcos faced a neurological problem years ago and had problems walking and moving his right arm. That’s why he was not a vicar (in charge of the parish). But he dedicated himself to the community of San Roque and the indigenous people.” Dávila said. He said Arcos spoke Kichwa, an indigenous Quechuan language in Ecuador, and therefore had a great affinity with the native groups he assisted.

Dávila said Arcos was always seen as an “extremely virtuous man of faith, one who was very loving to people and very cheerful”.

“He lived in great austerity. At the same time, he was extraordinarily generous,” he described.

The priests’ mother and witness to his abduction is a well-known Catholic leader in the community, Dávila said. It was he and the local bishop who gave her the news of her son’s death, which she received “with deep sadness and sorrow”.

“We only hope that the investigators clarify all the facts and discover what happened. And that the perpetrators are tried according to the laws of Ecuador,” Dávila said.

In his opinion, Arcos died because of the unfair exploitation of his “most beautiful virtue” – generosity.

“His kindness and solidarity made him trust these people,” he concluded.

Ecuador has faced an unprecedented crisis of violence in recent years, with drug cartels and armed forces, with the homicide rate in the South American country reaching 47.2 murders per 100,000 people in 2023.