Two Americans were found dead in a luxury resort hotel room in Mexico’s Baja California Sur state, authorities said.
The victims were found around 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hyatt Rancho Pescadero, a beachfront boutique hotel in El Pescadero, a popular surfing spot between Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas.
According to an internal police report obtained by The Times, the body was found after hearing the sound of a running shower after repeated knocks by a housekeeper. A hotel employee entered the room and found the body of a woman. In the bathroom, the body of a man was found curled up in a fetal position on the floor of the shower, the report said.
Paramedics found the two after being called by an unconscious hotel guest. Died from suspected gas inhalationreported the Associated Press.
A police report identified the victims as John Heesco and Abby Lutz. Hesco was 41 and Lutz, who lives in Newport Beach, was 28, according to the Baja California Sur Attorney General’s Office. ABC News reported.
Lutz’s family said in a statement Thursday that they were “shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of their beloved Abby.” She said, “Abby had her adventurous spirit and amazingly kind heart. She enjoyed traveling, seeing new places, and sharing her zest for life with those around her.” I loved doing it.”
family Organized a GoFundMe fundraiser This is to cover the costs of the funeral and transportation of the remains.
Lutz’ sister-in-law, Gabrielle Slate, wrote on her GoFundMe page that Lutz and her boyfriend “went to the hospital for treatment thinking they had food poisoning.”
A few days later, Lutz and her boyfriend were told they were recovering, Slate wrote.
“I got a call saying they passed away peacefully in their sleep in their hotel room,” Slate wrote. “I’ve heard that carbon monoxide poisoning is possible due to inadequate ventilation within the resort.”
John Heesco is listed as the founder of LES Labs, a California-based company. diet supplement, on LinkedIn.website for LES Lab cites a man named John Hesco as its founder.
A US State Department spokeswoman confirmed the death of two Americans in Baja California Sur.
“We are closely monitoring the local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we have nothing further to add at this time.”
The Baja California Sur Attorney General’s office said the victims had been dead for about 10 to 11 hours when they were found, according to ABC. There were no signs of criminal activity on the victim’s body. In a statement to ABC News, the attorney general’s office said the cause of death was “substance poisoning” and will be determined at a later date.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of Rancho Pescadero’s death, hotel general manager Henar Gil said in a statement, calling the situation a “huge tragedy” and adding, “Our hearts go out to the families and families affected. I am with my loved ones,” he added.
“The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is always our top priority,” Gill said. “We can confirm that there was no evidence of violent behavior associated with this situation, and we are not aware of any threat to the safety or health of our guests.”
A Hyatt spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a question about whether Rancho Pescadero’s rooms, which start at $600 a night and above, have carbon monoxide detectors.
Gas leaks from faulty electrical or plumbing are common across Mexico and have been linked to tourist fatalities in the past.
In October, three American vacationers in Mexico City were found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning at an Airbnb.
In March 2022, a gas leak exploded in the tourist city of Playa del Carmen, killing two people and injuring 18. Family of four from Iowa, 2018 died of gas poisoning At a condominium in a resort town one hour from Cancun.
Times staff writer Noah Goldberg contributed to this report.
