In the late months of 1949, American writer William S Burroughs avoided gun and drug charges in the United States by moving his family to Mexico to study and wait out the statute of limitations on his crimes. Burroughs settled in the fashionable Roma district of Mexico City, kicking his drug habit and immersing himself in the expat community. However, two years later, he fell back into heroin addiction, leading to violent outbursts and a deteriorating marriage with his wife, Joan Vollmer. On a stormy evening in September 1951, Burroughs fatally shot Vollmer during a gathering with fellow writers above a bar in Mexico City. Despite this tragic event, Burroughs went on to become an influential figure in American literature.
The release of the movie Queer, based on Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novel, has brought renewed interest in the author’s time in Latin America. The film, starring Daniel Craig, highlights Burroughs’ pioneer role in queer representation. However, the legacy of Burroughs is also marked by a darker side, as seen in the unmarked graves in Mexico City. The death of Joan Vollmer was a tragic event that occurred amidst their tumultuous relationship, drug addiction, and violent disputes. Despite their troubled life in Mexico City, Burroughs’ writing and influence continue to be celebrated, shedding light on both his groundbreaking work and the haunting reminder of his past.