Chivis Martinez for
Borderland Beat
Appears to be no
outward signs of trauma
A family of four from
Iowa who went missing after traveling to Mexico was found dead Thursday night
in their condominium in a tourist complex in the country, police confirmed to
Fox News.
The family – Kevin
Wayne Sharp, 41, Amy Marie Sharp, 38, Sterling Wayne Sharp, 12, and Adrianna
Maria Sharp, 7 – left their hometown of Creston, Iowa, to travel to Tulum,
Mexico, on March 15, the Des Moines Register reported.
Paul Ver Meer, the
chief of the Creston Police Department, told Fox News the family was found dead
Thursday night in a condo they rented in Tulum. The family’s cause of death is
not immediately known but the department is awaiting autopsy reports.
“There appears to be no
outward signs of trauma,” Ver Meer said.
Ashli Peterson, a
family member, wrote in a Facebook post that the family was supposed to return
to the U.S. on Wednesday after catching a flight from Cancun, but did not
return. Peterson said the Sharp’s notified family members that they made it to
Mexico safely but that was the last time they heard from them.
Peterson said the
family filed a missing persons’ report via the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. They
also tried to locate the family by tracing their cell phones but found there
was “no movement on their phones.” The family’s social media accounts were also
at a standstill.
Renee Hoyt, Amy Sharp’s
sister, told Creston News Advertiser that the family flew into Cancun and
rented a car to drive to Tulum.
"On Wednesday at 7
p.m., Amy sent a text to our mom that said, 'We made it to our condo,'"
Hoyt told the media outlet. "That is the last communication she made. We
got told last night Kevin sent a text to Travis Anderson around 5 p.m. Thursday
and Travis responded around 11:30 and has not heard anything back."
On Friday, Peterson
posted a Facebook post saying the family was located.
Last week, the State
Department sent out a travel advisory to Mexico due to crime in the Playa del
Carmen.
From Noticias Cancun:
A family of American
tourists, from Creston, Iowa, was found dead in a condominium in Tao, located
within the Bahia Principe complex of this municipality, confirmed authorities
in that county.
Mexican police reports
that when they went to the room for a check on the family, the door was unlocked.
In a brief statement,
the Attorney General's Office indicated that the cases are still being
investigated, but during the inspection, "no signs of violence were found
on the bodies or the room."
The family, left the United States for Tulum on March 15. The last time
anyone heard from the family was that night, when they confirmed that they
arrived at their condominium without problems.
They had to return on a
flight to St. Louis, Missouri on March 21 and then go to a basketball game in
Illinois, but they did not show up. For that reason, around midnight, they
contacted the Creston, Iowa police, who in turn reported the case to the state
police who contacted Mexican authorities and American embassy.
Americans should stay away from mexico because there is no place and i mean no place safe there.
ReplyDeleteThis was a carbon monoxide group suicide concocted by the mom and dad
DeleteDisagree with this overgeneralization.
DeleteAnd you would know because you live there?
DeleteI have family in Mexico. I don't visit them. They don't expect me to.
DeleteIts so sad....i got deported and my wife and kids only speak english...its like these people think all americans are rich and either rip you off or rob u
DeleteI'VE BEEN HERE IN CANCUN ALL WEEK FOR SPRING BREAK, NIGHT CLUBS, STRIP CLUBS, PLAYA DEL CARMEN, TULUM, EVERYWHERE, THIS NEWS AN HAS UNNECESSARY NEGATIVE CONNOTATION, IT'S ANA AMAZING PLACE AS EXPERIENCED ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Delete9:11 industrial grade tourism corrupts absolutely everything and ruins the environment for everybody else in the world too, just to make a few rich motherfuckers richer, some day cancun will be a former 7th wonder of the world like SO MANY OTHER FORMER 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
DeleteI own a condo in the Grand Bahia resort complex and in fact I was there from March 14-21. The residential side of the resort is built around a beautiful golf course, carved out of the jungle, and be close to the ocean. It's a peaceful, luxury destination. The Tao condos where the family was staying have a zen/yoga vibe and attract a strong rental market for people who want to enjoy nature, the tropical climate, and access to the beach and many nearby attractions, restaurants, and day passes to the all-inclusive features of Grand Bahia.
DeleteI feel it is much safer than where I live in suburban Detroit. In fact I'm not aware of a single violent or property crime in the Grand Bahia residential area ever, and I've been traveling to the vicinity for 30 years.
My hunch is that this tragedy was accidental. Photos of the family show wholesome, happy parents and children. They communicated normally on Facebook up to the day they died. Of course, I can't see inside the mental state of the parents, but they just don't look like the type to kill themselves and their children. So I suspect a gas leak or mistake in the operation of the cooking equipment. One aspect of renting in Mexico is that equipment labels, such as stove and oven knobs are in Spanish, so if you don't speak Spanish you can find yourself guessing as to proper settings.
All that, though, is speculation. Further investigation, I predict, will reveal what transpired. My main point is that fears of travel to Tulum and the Mayan Riviera are overblown. It remains my favorite place to spend my time in retirement. The local people are warm and friendly, cost of living is very favorable compared to the US, and the surroundings are unsurpassed, anywhere.
The region has to get a grip on growing crime/cartel activity, though, or it will kill the golden goose of tourism and expat trade. Playa del Carmen has gone from a sleepy, dirt street fishing town to big city in a short time, and big city problems, like crime, are starting to show up. Tulum is like the old Playa del Carmen, but it's now growing fast as well.
The recent international news coverage of criminal elements in the Riviera Maya, I think, are overblown, but that problem needs to be aggressively addressed. The two Delta flights I took DTW-CUN-DTW were both less than half full, even though I travelled at the height of the Spring Break season. That's telling.
"Yeah, this type of incident never happens in the USA ! Idiotic ignorant comment!"
DeleteI'll be an idiot and stay in the US where it is as dangerous as Mexico...
Bollocks. I've been in Mexico almost seven years. Nothing bad has happened to me, and I've visited every state bar eight of them.
DeleteThere is absolutely an agenda to terrorize the tourist zones of Mexico, and the conspirators have won. At this point and rate, I am never travelling south of the border again.
ReplyDeleteMay this family find peace and the perpetrators find an eternity of hell.
May the family rest in peace. Word around here in cancun is that it was carbon monoxide. Most places do not have the luxury of carbon monoxide detectors. We will wait until the AUTOPSY before Jumping to conclusions
DeleteIt was pestacides.
DeleteHow does an entire family die with no sign of foul play? This has cover up written all over it to protect the tourism industry. I call bullshi...
ReplyDeleteEveryone on BB knows Mexico is a dangerous place to live and maybe visit,BUT PEOPLE,let's not forget accidents can also happen in mexico...So yes it may have been Co2 and maybe one parent may be culprit although I hope not
Delete"no foul play" ?? So all 4 of them just died ? slipped on some water ?
ReplyDeleteA family member posted on facebook that authorities think the deaths were from carbon monoxide poisoning. So tragic. How does that happen in one hotel room? Maybe they were using a portable propane heater and didn't now the dangers?
ReplyDeleteKnow the danger
DeletePortable heater in a tropic place, hope you are not an investigator, because I would fire your ass.
DeleteDonny
The same way it happens in th U.S. by having a source of carbon monoxide such as a gas stove... and then not having carbon monoxide alarms installed to alert you when there is some sort of leak.
DeleteThis happens in the U.S. and elsewhere. Carbon monoxide from gas stores, heaters, etc. can be deadly. Building codes aren’t the same in Mexico and most countries in Latin America as they are in the U.S. where newer construction in most states require fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors if gas is used.
This whole wouldn’t be from a portable hearted. I’m in Mexico right now about an hour north of Tulum. This was likely a gas stove or some other appliance that a leak could cause carbon monoxide to be released. It can be an odorless, silent killer.
It’s also possible it was some sort of pesticide that had been used. There was a family that were stricken by poison due to pesticide in an island in the Caribbean that resulted in most of them being in a coma and death is possible.
Mexico is known for dangerous situations. But a case like this is going to result in the victims bodies being returned to the U.S. where another autopsy would be performed. So authorities here have no reason to lie about the cause of death. Because it will be obvious to medical examiners in the U.S. when their bodies arrive.
Some sort of carbon monoxide issue that occurred while they were sleeping sounds like what happened. Very tragic. But if this is what happened it has nothing to do with the cartel violence in Mexico and is something that could (and does) happen in any country.
Tragic story.
Why didn't I see this on the news? Hummmm... I wonder..
ReplyDelete@1:51 PM If you read the Creston News Advertiser or the Des Moines Register in Iowa you would have read it.
DeleteOr Google News, that is where I first saw it , as dd said , it linked to the Iowan Newspapers , then it showed up everywhere.
DeleteEarly birds get the worms.
Lol...You sound like one of those ppl who thinks if you didn't know Or hear about something 1st it must not be true...I guess YOUR news channel is the ONLY one with REAL news..
DeleteThat’s funny because I’ve read it on CNN, BBC News, and several other major media source as well as local media sources in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois within the region where the victims were from. So you just not be looking very hard because I read about it 3 days ago when it was first discovered.
DeleteAny ideas? Poison or something?
ReplyDeleteMica
Likely carbon monoxide poisoning from some sort of appliance that uses gas like a gas stove. The condo likely did not have carbon monoxide detectors or they weren’t working properly. So while they slept the carbon monoxide leaked and they never woke up. Tragic.
DeleteFYI, condos in that area have gas stoves, gas water heaters and gas dryers, I know because I own a condo not far from where the tragedy occurred. Any of these appliances could have been at fault. CO detectors should be mandatory.
DeleteNo foul play? I doubt its natural causes.
ReplyDeleteYeh we all know exactly who will come to justice for this evil act... NOBODY that's who.
ReplyDeleteGet it together Mexico before you completely lose the country.
2:06 theeere you go again with your "mexico" BS,
DeleteThe condos owners must have smoke detectors, oxigen sensors and shit, and tourists need to bring their own equipment just in case, it is not expensive and you know you can't trust others to do it all for you, moreover, all the Mexicans do not benefit from tourism, it all goes to government politicians and their madrotas condo owners, it can all go to hell.
This has to be Narco gang related. There’s no other explanation?
ReplyDelete2:11 some day you wake up in the arms of your mind rapist,
Delete"Narco-gang related" has got too old to blame for everything.
Why wiuld narcos hurt a family from Iowa? The dad was a secret narco and he jumped cartels? Come on...Americans are the customers...
Deletewell, people get confused, the Children of the Corn are a bunch of scary evil mophakkas on the US,
Delete--but in mexico, they are unos hijos del maiz, and everybody gots the heats for them, no narco needs get involved.
Yeah and the narcos have abandoned there old method of killing and found a NEW non traceable method that can kill and leave no traces of trauma or signs of a struggle even...You my friend are NOT the voice of reason.
DeleteI was being sarcastic since the story is published in a narco website! I’m sure there are other families that are victims of carbon monoxide here in the USA but will not be published here.
DeleteNarco gang relate? Likely poor building code or poor maintenance related. It was likely due to a lack of functioning carbon monoxide alarms that didn’t alert them to a gas leak. It happens in every country. Definitely a tragedy. But highly doubtful this has anything to do with narcos.
Delete@8:37 I didn't do very well in chemistry class. Would a build up of carbon monoxide over a 2 day period ignite or explode if someone entered the room and flipped on the light switch?
Delete@1:44PM As I have said before sarcasm (and humor) are difficult to convey in the written form.
DeleteDD. Why is this Narco News material ?
Delete@2:40PM An American family being found dead in a hotel room in Mexico with an unknown cause of death is enough to raise suspicions. We felt that because it is so rare for an American to be murdered in this that until it is known with certainty that it was accidental deaths we should publish it. There are still some unanswered questions and we are continuing to investigate on our own with out own sources to answer those questions. What ever the final determination is we will report that.
DeleteAccording to Daily Mail, it was carbon monoxide.
ReplyDeleteWow, BB please try to keep us updated on this story. It has me rivited. Sad.
ReplyDeleteLet's see no trauma on bodies....I am speculating carbon monoxide poisoning, while they slept. I hope there's a follow-up on this one.
ReplyDeleteThere are no signs of foul play without the autopsy. This story is only making news because it was an American couple traveling what appears to be alone to visit family.
ReplyDeleteNot defending cartels but for them to commit such a crime as murder to an American couple and kids without a very specific motive is almost unheard of.
Even with an autopsy suggesting foul play still would not describe a killer and or their motive.
My condolences to their family and rip all of them specially the little ones.
You saying innocent foreigners being murdered is unheard of? What about the Australian surfers that were burned alive in their camper van? What kind of motive would you need to do that to a van of innocent people? There's no justified motive. People are just assholes, and the cartels will be pieces of shit when they feel like being pieces of shit. Full immunity from the law, those cowards are free to be every bit of the horror story that every human being is capable of being.
DeleteBUT was it the CARTEL?
Delete3:34 Said the cartels wouldn't likely do it.
Very very strange.. I would suspect drug overdose but there are little kids that died too. Don't know what happened here
ReplyDelete3:37 drug crazed beasts should not be commenting, maybe some day
DeleteWhat, gas poisoning?
ReplyDeleteAnd no oxigen sensors or smoke alarms, I hope the condos owner gets sued for millions of dollars, chinguesumadre.
will this finally convince some of you to not travel to Mex anymore? still belive it wont happen to you? The 42+ missing students, the 72 migrants from San Fernando, the massacre from 5 manantiales,the teenagers shooting it out with military, the mass graves, the mass prison breaks,the horrible videos is not enough to keep you at home happy??? Well this is just one of many American families this has happen to. Rip. My travel warning- stay home, go visit the Grand Canyon, go to beach..chill
ReplyDelete5:03 obviously you are missing the root causes of mexico's problemos, Namely the War for the Drug trafficking that ste's so much money and so many customers from the authorized agencies.
DeleteThey need to keep up with their expenses like the CIA's black budget they use for special operations like give juicy contracts to their "special friends" in private intelligence and military mercenary contractors that go from millions a year to start to hundreds of billions a year for nothing...all on the credit card
@5:03. Lets see the list from the US where you get shot at a concert, mowed down at the movies, blown up at a marathon, run over on a sidewalk, flown into a building, massacred at school, riddled by bullets at a marine base, and lets not forget all the freaks lurking in the datk waiting for a single victim. Keep your dream alive because its the only thing keeping you from seeing reality.
Delete8:24 you gots me going, mamacita.
Deleteam a getting my black dark overcoat and i'll be waiting for you in the dark, tonite.
I was convinced long ago but by actual cartel violence,NOT by unfortunate ACCIDENTS like this...and if it WASN'T a accident,at least one parent is to blame.
DeleteAre you deluded or something? Nothing has been verified yet and you talk out of your imagination as if you know more than anybody else. Considering HOW people die in MX thru violence, this probably doesn't look like such a case.
DeleteHow strange no signs of trauma. Poison? Very sad regardless.
ReplyDeleteCarbon monoxide?
ReplyDeleteLike we are going to find out the truth from Crime Ridden,Corrupt,Drug Supporting Mexican Officials?
ReplyDelete"No signs of violence?" Gimmie a break. Door unlocked? This story reeks of bull----.
ReplyDeleteCarbon monoxide poisoning?
ReplyDeleteWow whats this about
ReplyDeletemo problems to Peña Nieto
ReplyDeletePoison. - Sol Prendido
ReplyDeleteThats not a surprise. Cartel Crime is rampant in Mexico. Yikes I would not go there
ReplyDeleteWhy the hell would a cartel kill a family? Idiot.
DeleteMost cartel assisins are meth out, don't you think? No right minded person decapitate another person.
DeleteIf no signs of trauma, the only explanation may be carbon monoxide...
ReplyDeleteOr propane. Thats what we cook with here.
DeleteIt's being said on tripadvisor that it was carbon monoxide poisoning.
ReplyDeleteCarbon monoxide poisoning does not make sence as an accidental cause of death due to heaters not being used in the equator.
ReplyDeleteSo it could still be carbon monoxide but would be more likely as someone killing them in their sleep to steal their items.
What is evident is that ignoring the St. Dept. Travel advisory is very DUMB.
Ive been to these areas in mexico and they are very beautiful but as we know the cartels and other criminal elements have taken hold in these areas and now will lead to the decline of tourism as in other regions
Very sad
Propane is ised for cooking. East to leave on.
DeleteObviously you dont know there is no TA for Cancun. Accidents happen everywhere.
Delete@11:33 It also has a odor which is easily detectable.
DeletePrincesses don't know that gas cylinders are used to cook in luxury apartments and condos for tourists or gas from the lines, if you never smelled gas then you don't know.
DeleteAs a guy who repairs gas boilers, water heaters, furnaces etc, a small gas leak in a closed up apt can put a slightly positive atmospheric pressure on the area. Then usually an appliance kicks on, and most electrical motors or even a light switch being turned on can cause an EXPLOSION. And just so you know gas comes in to aplpliances at between 6-8" water column. (About a 1/4 psi ) so it doesn't take much.
Delete5:52 Dim Dgwit don't have to know nothin'
Deleteeven you should know that
Your beliefs are......Very sad
Delete2:12 not sure what your point is. i have been in the gas field for 23 years responding to gas leaks and carbon monoxide calls daily. yes natural gas and LP are flammable gases but there was no explosion. carbon monoxide seems to make the most sense but where did it come from? were they a little cold so they tried to warm up the condo by running the gas oven?? not sure where the water heater is located in the condo but i can count on 1 hand how many times i have detected lethal amounts of CO being put out by a water heater. and they usually don't run for long periods of time unless they all 4 showered back to back. even then it's a stretch. i guess we will have to wait for the investigation to conclude
DeleteAnother dumb ass american. Even if theres no foul play. The second you cross the border your in afghanistan like territory. How fucking stupid are this people? There are dozens of places as beautiful as mexico and a lot safer than you can vacation on. No offense to mexicans and mexico has some beautifull locations but its not safe. AND PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND MEXICO HAS CHANGED SINCE 2008 2009 2010 THE MEXICO BEFORE THAT AND MEXICO NOW ARE WAY DIFFERENT.
ReplyDeleteIt is Sorry but u r right
DeleteStop being a fear monger. Out of millions of tourist that travel to mexico a year the percentage of any of them becoming a victim or witnessing one of these events is slim to none. I just came back from Cancun and mexico city. I had a great time. Its very unfortunate that this family died but accidents happen.
Delete@7:49 I never been to Mexico and I'm scared to visit. How does one know the cop stopping you isn't working for kidnappers? I can understand the mordida, that's how it goes, but I'm terrified of being "raised." Maybe I've watched too many videos.
Delete11:35 PM. People don't get killed or die on accidents in your country? Where are you from ? What country? I will like to search the news around where you live .
DeleteWhy would they use heaters? With out that how would they get carbon monoxide poisoning
ReplyDeleteGas cooking range left on.
DeleteGOD, i hope you wiseasses don't start blaming the frijoles
DeleteSo IF it was carbon monoxide..
ReplyDeleteI would be SHOCKED if their money, wallet and purse are turned in by the police, lol.
@6:46 Good One ;)
Delete@6:33 Water heater.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately sometimes shit happens I think this may be the case here.
Unless there's some sort of cover up for political reasons, witch would make sense if it was a quadruple homicide of what literally defines the typical wholesome white pure USA. Just imagine for a moment what could actually transpire from that ! War maby ? War is more profitable than drugs isn't it ?
Im white as can be and have been to Mexico a lot. However, Ive only been to the touristy areas. Ive had a kid try to tear my necklace off walking down Avenida Revolucion and Ive paid of cops for random stupid nonsense 3 times (max was $80). I no longer am willing to visit, nor are any of my friends. That being said, my first thought on this issue was as several have mentioned, carbon monoxide poisoning. Im anxious to see what really happened though.
ReplyDelete"SE DESCARTA HECHO VIOLENTO EN FALLECIMIENTO DE LAS CUATRO PERSONAS ENCONTRADAS EN UNA HABITACIÓN EN EL MUNICIPIO DE TULUM.
ReplyDelete• Se realizan estudios para determinar que sustancias provocaron la muerte de la familia.
• Se mantiene estrecha colaboración con la PGR, para concluir con dichos análisis.
Tulum Quintana Roo, a 24 de marzo del 2018.- La Fiscalía General del Estado informa que derivado de los estudios periciales y los resultados de las necropsias practicadas a los cuatro cuerpos encontrados al interior de una habitación del condominio Tao la madrugada de este viernes en el municipio de Tulum, reveló que la causa de fallecimiento se debió a asfixia por inhalación de gases tóxicos, por lo que se descarta un hecho violento o un suicidio.
Al concluir las necropsias de ley, médicos forenses adscritos a la Fiscalía determinaron que los cuerpos tendrían aproximadamente entre 36 a 48 horas sin vida a consecuencia de inhalar gases tóxicos, sin determinar aun el tipo de sustancia, por lo que personal de la FGE mantiene constante colaboración con la Coordinación General de Servicios Periciales de la Procuraduría General de la Republica (PGR) para obtener un dictamen concluyente.
Personal especializado de la Fiscalía General del Estado realizó la toma de muestras patológicas, histopatologías y humor vítreo, que serán enviadas para su análisis a la PGR México, instancia federal que emitirá en los próximos 10 días un resultado de los estudios.
Durante la inspección y análisis periciales en el área del hallazgo, los cuerpos localizados en el departamento PH1, no presentaban indicios de huella de violencia, tampoco evidencia que sugieran disturbios al interior de la habitación, por lo que se descarta un hecho violento derivado de un posible robo.
En el lugar se localizó una maleta que contenía aparatos electrónicos y documentos personales de las víctimas originarias de Estados Unidos de América a nombre de, S. S. W, hijo de 12 años de edad, S. A. M, hija de 6 años, S. K.W de 41 años, padre, S.A.M, de 38 años de edad, madre, dicho cuerpos aun permanecen en las instalaciones del Servicio Médico Forense en Playa del Carmen hasta que sean reclamados por sus familiares.
Se informa, que en la mañana de este sábado, la Dirección de Protección Civil del Ayuntamiento de Tulum, acompañados por personal de Bomberos y peritos de la Dirección de Servicios Periciales, realizaron una inspección física a la instalación de gas de la habitación, por lo que será la primera dependencia quien emitirá un informe técnico para coadyuvar en la investigación de este suceso.
Cabe señalar, que esta dependencia mantiene total secrecía apegada a los lineamientos de la Ley de Víctimas del Estado, por lo que ha ordenado una indagatoria de aquellas personas que sin autorización alguna permitieron la publicación de fotografías del lugar de los hechos."
Posted by: La Palabra del Caribe
I just read this online on facebook. - kao.
Facebook
@3:53 I don't understand most of that, but I get the jest of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on this terrible tragedy.
There is no mention of anything of theirs being stolen, that is just silly to say that someone poisoned them for their money. Probably they accidentally left the gas on or it was leaking in their nicely sealed condo with AC. I go to Mexico at least 3x per year for long vacations with my young child, I'm not involved in drugs, enjoy the beach and some great food and drinks and traveling around. I never feel unsafe. I don't go driving around at night and I rent a nice house or apartment with a security gate. Was recently in Cancun and Tulum in Feb and had a great vacation. Lots of police stops, roads were good, well lit and safe. The local people I met were always helpful. One person even pointed out to me that the back license plate on my rental car was loose.
ReplyDeleteI’m in Cancun right now first time ever. Very nice place but def feel a little uneasy from all the news. Who is plaza boss in Cancun? Which cartel runs the peninsula I’m staying at hotel here tons of police presence. I have been offered weed twice cause I’m a American haha
ReplyDeleteSeems like he has a lot more money to throw around then the chief of police of a small town makes. Sounds like he got caught up in the bad side of his business dealings with the Mexican cartels.
ReplyDeleteThe prosecutors' office in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo said Saturday that "the cause of death was asphyxiation from inhaling toxic gases." It said the type of gas hadn't been determined.
ReplyDeleteThe tap water is poisoned
ReplyDeleteBecause all the sicarios are throwing bodies on cenotes and swEet water resources
FYI - MEXICO is the number one consumer of bottled water.
DeleteYou know
ReplyDeleteYou could fill a entire room of co2 while the peoole are sleep and killing it in their sleep
Mayve that guy was a cia operative