Couple from Newport Beach found dead at luxury hotel in Mexico
Two Americans, including an Orange County woman, were found dead in their luxury hotel room in Mexico this week, according to local police.
MEXICO (KABC) -- A couple from Newport Beach were found dead in their luxury hotel room in Mexico this week, according to local police.
The two were identified as Abby Lutz, 28, and John Heathco, 41, both of Newport Beach, according to the Baja California Sur Attorney General's Office.
They were found Tuesday in a room at the Hotel Rancho Pescadero in Baja California Sur. Police said the two had been dead for about 10 hours, and there were no signs of violence on their bodies.
Their cause of death was "intoxication by substance to be determined," the AG's office said in a statement Wednesday, but the investigation into the exact cause is ongoing.
Abby Lutz, 28, and John Heathco, 41, were found dead in a hotel room in Baja California, Mexico on June 13, 2023. Gabrielle Slate / LinkedIn
We are shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of our beloved Abby," Lutz's family said in a statement.
"Abby had an adventurous spirit and a wonderfully kind heart. She loved to travel, see new places, and share her zeal for life with those around her. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for our family during this very difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to a GoFundMe page to help with transportation and funeral costs.
Hotel Rancho Pescadero is a luxury hotel and a Hyatt property.
The hotel's general manager, Henar Gil, said in a statement that they are not aware of any threats to the safety of other guests.
"We are truly heartbroken by this terrible tragedy. Our hearts are with the impacted families and loved ones during this unimaginable loss. Local authorities are still actively investigating the situation, and the safety and security of our guests and colleagues remains a top priority, as always. We can confirm there was no evidence of violence related to this situation, and we are not aware of any threat to guests' safety or wellbeing. We are working to care for those who have been impacted and we are working closely with authorities as they conduct their investigation to understand the cause of death. Further inquiries should be directed to local authorities."
The U.S. State Department has been notified of the deaths and is monitoring the situation.
"We can confirm the death of two U.S. citizens in Baja California Sur, Mexico on June 14. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families on their loss," a State Department spokesperson said. "We are closely monitoring local authorities' investigation into the cause of death. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the privacy of the families, we have nothing further to add at this time."
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the accurate age for Abby Lutz.
ABC News contributed to this report.
Source: KABC-TV
