From Miss Puebla to 'Miss Torture': the beauty queen turned tormentor's 30‑year reign of terror

Maria Hilda Bustillos Lucas crowned Miss Puebla in 1991, later represented her state in the national contest, Mexicana Universal. This woman has now gained a notorious title. The global media have labelled her as the inaugural "Miss Torture", due to her abuse against her employees.

An innocuous advertisement from the former Miss Puebla, who would have suspected it to be dubious? Approximately 15 women from less affluent Mexican regions fell into her trap. These women were lured with the promise of work opportunities that could aid in initiating new lives.

Maria Hilda Bustillos Lucas was recently apprehended by Mexican law enforcement. "Miss Torture", as she was titled by the media, ensnared women with job adverts on social platforms promising them a fresh start. The notorious celebrity offered not only shelter and food but also a weekly wage of 1800 Mexican pesos, equivalent to around £16.

At their arrival, however, it became startlingly clear that the former Miss Puebla had entirely different intentions for her workers. She incarcerated some individuals within her residence and subjected them to psychological and physical maltreatment when they failed to meet her demands. One of the victims confessed to being assaulted with a hammer. She even went so far as to offer some of these women to her wealthy acquaintances who readily accepted her proposal.

In mid-March, she was seized by the authorities, charged with human trafficking, imprisonment, and abuse of women. Regrettably, her arrest was deemed unlawful, resulting in "Miss Torture" being released the very next day after her apprehension.

The police finally apprehended "Miss Torture" after one of the victims managed to escape. It also emerged that the accused's neighbours had suspicions about her activities, which they reported to local authorities.

"We heard screams. She didn't intend to beat them publicly or on the street, but the screams were audible"

- confessed one of the witnesses during a discussion with the Mirror. One woman in custody revealed that the offender not only physically tormented them but also subjected them to starvation. Unfortunately, there might be more victims than is currently known. Investigators affirm that "Miss Torture" had been conducting her disturbing "operations" for nearly 30 years.