The proverbial “escape” of spring break is well-known to American college students: A whole week of responsibility spent on the beach or preferred place of vacation filled with booze and hookups. But what happens when these glorified trips of teenage bliss turn sour? There have been countless cases of drugging, rape, forced prostitution, and even murder occurring to spring breakers.

One of the most blood-curdling instances of spring break violence was the case of Mark Kilroy. Kilroy was on spring break with friends in Matamoros, Mexico with friends. On March 14, 1989, Kilroy’s friends reported to Mexican police that Kilroy had disappeared the previous evening. After a serious investigation, law enforcement officials were led by evidence to a ranch known as Rancho Santa Elena.

On April 11, 1989, investigators discovered the mutilated bodies of Kilroy and 14 other victims in shallow graves at the ranch. All the victims had been sacrificed by Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo and Sara Maria Adlrete, leaders of a cult that combined Palo Mayombe, Santeria, and Brujeria practices and performed human sacrifice to feed their spirits and protect the members of the cult.

This horrifying tale is just one of the many instances where teenagers were taken advantage of and lost their lives while on spring break.

If there is one thing to take away from this article, it is to be as safe as possible if you are traveling for spring break. Know how to take precautions so as to prevent these things to the best of your ability. Learn to defend yourself. And as always, be safe.