An American couple was found dead in a hotel at an oceanfront Mexican resort. Discovered Tuesday, they are believed to have been deceased for at least 11 hours before they were found. An investigation is ongoing as authorities try to uncover more answers.
The couple was identified as 41-year-old John Heathco and 28-year-old Abby Lutz. They were staying at the Rancho Pescadero resort in El Pescadero.
According to the Mexican state's attorney general, there were not any signs of violence. However, the cause of death was stated to be from intoxication of an unspecified substance. Authorites are currently working to identify what the substance was.
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The hotel manager of the resort said they were not aware of any threat to the guests' safety or well-being. "We are truly heartbroken by this terrible tragedy. Local authorities are still actively investigating the situation, and the safety and security of our guests and colleagues remains a top priority, as always."
The family believes that the couple could have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, although prior to their death, Lutz and Heathco had told family they went to the hospital to get treatment for what they thought to be food poisoning.
"Saturday she got really sick, and they thought it was food poisoning," Gabrielle Slate, Lutz's stepsister, told Today. "She wasn't getting any better, so they took her to the ER, and she got some help there and went back to the hotel feeling good."
"We were told they were feeling much better a few days later," Slate said in a GoFundMe page she set up to help pay for funeral expenses. "We received a phone call saying that they had passed away peacefully in their hotel room in their sleep. We have been told it was due to improper venting of the resort and could be Carbon monoxide poisoning."
"All of this is completely unexpected. We are trying to get Abby home to us so we can have the funeral she deserves," Slate wrote. "Abby was the most beautiful soul and we will miss her so much."
The US State Department is closely monitoring the investigation of local authorities in Mexico. "We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance," the department said. "Out of respect for the privacy of the families, we have nothing further to add at this time."
