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Aurora Phelps Trial Opens in Mexico on Murder and Fraud Charges
Aurora Phelps, 44, faces murder charges in Mexico and U.S. fraud and kidnapping indictments tied to dating-app encounters with older men. Prosecutors say she used the meetings to access victims' financial accounts and sometimes drugged or killed them. The FBI has identified 11 possible victims.
Jun 6, 6:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Aurora Phelps, 44, went on trial in Mexico this week on murder charges connected to men she met through dating apps. U.S. authorities have also indicted her on fraud counts and two kidnapping charges, one resulting in death. The FBI says Phelps contacted men in their 60s and 70s on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border while married to William Phelps in Las Vegas.
Investigators allege she gained access to the men's bank, Social Security, and retirement accounts, sometimes by drugging them.
After three months of dating, Erbach was last seen at a Guadalajara hotel in December 2021. His body was found two days later beside a road, asphyxiated. Authorities say Phelps drove Erbach's BMW north to Las Vegas, opened a Wells Fargo account in his name, and withdrew $50,500 using his debit card.
A text sent from Erbach's phone claimed he was moving to Ecuador, and emails from his account sought changes to pension deposits.
Phelps was born in Arkansas in 1981 and moved to Guadalajara as a child. The FBI's Christopher Delzotto said Phelps has dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship and described her as believing her own fabrications. William Phelps told The Times last year that he had known her for 14 years without seeing signs of the alleged conduct.
Phelps has been charged with murder in Mexico. The U.S. indictment lists fraud and kidnapping counts. The FBI continues to review additional cases.
