Is the mannequin a real human? An old mystery resurfaces

A clothing store in Mexico has been associated with an intriguing legend for nearly 100 years. The store, which turned out to have its own story rather than just a legend years ago, has become a trending topic on social media once again.

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Is the mannequin a real human? An old mystery resurfaces

On social media, issues that were closed years ago often resurface in interesting ways. Years ago, the realistic appearance of a mannequin used for display in a bridal shop in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico—its gaze, the bruises on its fingers, and many other details—led to claims that it was actually a corpse that had been embalmed and placed there.

A RUMOR PERSISTING FOR YEARS

The display mannequin at the store named La Pascualita was first seen on March 25, 1930. The mannequin in the bridal shop, with its lifelike eyes, real hair, makeup styled according to that era, and all other details, astonished those passing by the store.

Later, a rumor began to spread: This was not actually an inanimate mannequin, but a perfectly preserved and embalmed corpse!

The biggest factor in the spread of this rumor was the mannequin's resemblance to the store owner's daughter, who had recently passed away. According to the urban legend, the shop owner, Pascuala Esparza, had a beautiful daughter who was about to get married. Tragically, she was bitten by a black widow spider on her wedding day and lost her life. Pascuala Esparza was so affected by the loss of her daughter that she wanted to preserve her body, so she had it embalmed and placed in the shop window, so she could always remain the bride she never got to be.

This tragic story spread over the years and eventually reached Esparza. Although she stated that the mannequin was nothing more than a very well-made inanimate figure, people preferred to believe the tragic story instead of her explanation.

Over the years, people passing by the window began to tell more stories. One of the stories claims that the mannequin's gaze follows people outside, and that it changes position when no one is looking.

The current owner of the store, Mario Gonzalez, may enjoy keeping the legend alive. The mannequin's clothes are changed behind curtains twice a week. It is reported that only a few close and trusted employees are allowed to dress and undress her. One employee who saw her naked believes that "the body does not belong to a mannequin."