I've spent a loooot of time in Mexican all-inclusive resorts over the past 20 years (including going to the same one for over 10 years, once or twice annually). The staff are generally extremely friendly and honest, hard-working people. We got to know many of the long-term employees during our stay(s) and never experienced any ill-toward behavior.
My husband, every once in a great while, will simply lose control and drink himself silly. It's awful, I know, and definitely an issue that he is working on. He's normally a straight-laced professional but occasionally drinks to excess. When he does so, he pretty much just passes out. I think it's happened three times while we've been on Mexican vacations. I've never seen particularly weak drinks being poured nor "moonshine" being served. Stronger drinks get better tips, and the bartenders aren't going to intentionally skimp or water down alcohol. It's a major draw and a huge part of a resort's reputation. It's easier to get a mixed drink than a glass of water at most places.
Staff were very helpful and compassionate when my husband once passed out somewhere (I, like Mrs. Snow, had already retired to the room with the kids) and security brought him back to the room passed out and in a wheelchair. It was humiliating, but he was safe. If he had a tendency to wander while drunk, I can only imagine the scary situations he could have gotten into. The exterior of the resorts is lovely, but the employee areas (like the bathroom pictured) can be pretty rough. In my mind, the window was likely left looking unfinished because it was "good enough" to provide the minimum privacy and ventilation for the employees.
Thugs, robbers, and the cartel are typically not going go after a tourist at an all-inclusive resort. Most people might be carrying at most a few bucks for tips and will leave jewelry in the safe. Anyone who obviously doesn't belong on the property is immediately escorted out. Of course the tourism industry is going to minimize violent crime and play down any accidental deaths (including ocean drownings) but imo this guy was at an extremely low risk for anything to happen to him outside of being extremely intoxicated.
Along with being a frequent visitor at several very safe and comfortable Mexican all-inclusive resorts, I also grew up in Arlington. This situation could have easily happened to me if my husband had wandered off and either drowned or had a similar freak accident occur. My heart goes out to the Snow family and to everyone who knew and loved Elijah. I'm definitely going to share this tragic story with my husband so he can appreciate how lucky he has been and hopefully change his behavior in the future.