Mayra Rosales (born 1980) is one of the world's heaviest people, currently weighing an estimated 343 kg (756 lb; 54 st). At her heaviest, she weighed 470 kg (1,000 lb; 74 st). She came to prominence in March 2008, when she was accused of the murder of her two year old nephew. In late 2011, she was acquitted of all charges.

2008 Incident[link]

In March 2008, at La Joya in Texas, USA, Eliseo Rosales Jr. was taken to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties and head trauma, from which he later died. His aunt, Mayra Lizbeth Rosales, was arrested on suspicion of murder. Rosales initially took responsibility for his death, claiming that she had fallen and accidentally crushed him with her right hand.^[1] However, medical staff soon established that Eliseo had died from massive blunt force trauma, casting doubt on Rosales's confession. Jamie Lee Rosales, the child's mother and Mayra Rosales's sister, was also arrested on charges of causing injury to a child, and of failing to protect a child.^[2]

Subsequent Events and Trial[link]

During the run up to her trial, it was determined that Rosales could not possibly have caused the kind of injuries that killed Eliseo by falling on him. The injuries could only have been caused by a direct and deliberate strike to the head. Rosales' defense lawyer, Sergio Valdez, claimed that Rosales' immobilizing weight would not have allowed her to use carry out such an attack.^[3]

At her trial for capital murder, Mayra Rosales revealed that she had made up her story to protect her sister, whom Rosales accused of both neglecting and regularly physically abusing Eliseo.^[4] In this particular instance, Jaime Lee had hit Eliseo with a hairbrush for refusing to eat. When paramedics arrived, Rosales agreed to take the blame for causing the injuries to her nephew. ^[5]

Jaime Lee Rosales fled when her sister revealed the truth, but returned to Texas shortly after. She was sentenced to 15 years in jail for causing Eliseo's death.^[6]

Media Attention[link]

Rosales has been the subject of intense media attention, both on the death of her nephew, and her massive weight. In 2012, the US television channel TLC aired a documentary entitled 'Half-Ton Killer?' This was later also screened by UK broadcaster Channel 4. Rosales' case has been featured around the world, and she has given several interviews to media organizations.

References[link]