Mexico - 3 American tourists found dead in Airbnb, felt sick, Mexico City - 30 October 2022

[ifindedout]

3 Americans found dead in Mexico City Airbnb; families seek answers

After three Americans were found dead in an Airbnb in Mexico last month, their families are hoping for answers.

www.kron4.com

Jordan Marshall and Kandace Florence, who attended high school together in Virginia Beach, had been vacationing in Mexico City with Marshall’s friend from New Orleans, Courtez Hall. The trio was there for the celebrations surrounding “Dia de Muertos,” or Day of the Dead.

Kandace Florence’s boyfriend was on the phone with her on the night of Oct. 30 when Florence started getting sick, the family told Nexstar’s WAVY. She told him something wasn’t right. The two eventually were disconnected and he couldn’t get Florence back on the line. He then called the Airbnb host to do a welfare check, and authorities found Florence, Marshall, and Hall dead.

The possibilities that spring to mind, assuming that there was no robbery and no wounds left:

1. Counterfeit/tainted liquor.
2. Insecticides, from amateur or even professional treatment using insecticides banned in the U.S. and other countries but legal in Mexico, or illegal in Mexico but used anyway by cut-rate or unregulated exterminators.
3. Leak of natural gas (LNG) or propane (LPG) from a faulty furnace, water heater or space heater. In Mexico, utility and bottled gas is not odorized like it is in the U.S. and Canada.
4. Carbon monoxide, from same sources as #3.

These are the most likely scenarios IMHO, but I'm not excluding others.
RIP Jordan, Kandace and Courtez.
All MOO

 

[PrairieWind]

The possibilities that spring to mind, assuming that there was no robbery and no wounds left:

1. Counterfeit/tainted liquor.
2. Insecticides, from amateur or even professional treatment using insecticides banned in the U.S. and other countries but legal in Mexico, or illegal in Mexico but used anyway by cut-rate or unregulated exterminators.
3. Leak of natural gas (LNG) or propane (LPG) from a faulty furnace, water heater or space heater. In Mexico, utility and bottled gas is not odorized like it is in the U.S. and Canada.
4. Carbon monoxide, from same sources as #3.

These are the most likely scenarios IMHO, but I'm not excluding others.
RIP Jordan, Kandace and Courtez.
All MOO

Yikes. CO was my first thought. That is so frightening because there is really no warning and it can happen anywhere. CO detectors need to be more common.

 

[annpats]

In Mexico, utility and bottled gas is not odorized like it is in the U.S. and Canada.

Whsaaaat? That's crazy! How else are you really supposed to detect a leak?

It's odorised in the UK by law and has been for decades. They add a chemical called Mercaptan into it and it stinks to high heaven like rotten eggs or something. Ugh.

 

[annpats]

CO detectors need to be more common.

They should be a legal requirement for Air B&Bs.

 

[PrairieWind]

I would consider taking a small CO detector with me on trips to some places.

 

[branmuffin]

All of those possibilities listed above can have the same symptoms: headache, upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, etc. and if the victims thought they were suffering from some kind of food related poisoning, they probably just lay down and that was that. If they had been drinking heavily they'd be less likely to go outside and breathe some fresh air.

Several years ago, quite a few tourists traveling in Viet Nam succumbed to poisoning from insecticides. They were all found dead in their beds. All young women.

They also may have thought they were experiencing altitude sickness and thought it would pass. Mexico City's altitude is about a mile and a half above sea level. Altitude sickness feels like the flu which also mimics the symptoms above.

 

[annpats]

I would consider taking a small CO detector with me on trips to some places.

Some places being mainly Air B&Bs, where safety legislation seems to be a bit lacking.

Maybe they should be under the same legislation as landlords and long term apartment rentals.

Are CO detectors and smoke alarms a legal requirement in the US, or does it vary by state? They are both very inexpensive. No reason NOT to have them.

I do think Air B&B should mandate a minimum safety list requirements for all rentals in all countries.

These property owners are quite often charging huge sums for nightly rental, and ridiculous sums for "cleaning fees" etc. and not really providing much in return.

MOO.

 

[#JUSTICE4WILDER]

Some places being mainly Air B&Bs, where safety legislation seems to be a bit lacking.

Maybe they should be under the same legislation as landlords and long term apartment rentals.

Are CO detectors and smoke alarms a legal requirement in the US, or does it vary by state? They are both very inexpensive. No reason NOT to have them.

I do think Air B&B should mandate a minimum safety list requirements for all rentals in all countries.

These property owners are quite often charging huge sums for nightly rental, and ridiculous sums for "cleaning fees" etc. and not really providing much in return.

MOO.

I can only speak for long term apartments in Texas. There are no mandatory CO detector laws.

 

[Charlot123]

Interesting what reviews were other people leaving about that Aib&B.

If US embassy in Mexico city can not provide translators (maybe the holiday was slowing things down?), then there probably is a US in Mexico expat Facebook, where one could find local Americans (or any English-speaking person, for that matter) willing to provide help?

Should travelers abroad locate expat groups in advance, should we all be more proactive in providing help for our own?

 

[annpats]

If the US embassy in Mexico city can not provide translators

RSBM.

What?!? How can they not provide a translator?! That should be standard help, if needed.

Surely the US embassy in México City has a wealth of contacts of people who can translate Spanish into English and vice versa! It's not like Spanish (or English) is some crazy ancient language spoken by just 300 people up a mountain!
I'm sure the embassy even employs an official translator itself!

 

[wendybtn]

This is terrible whenever it happens. I wonder if there's a way to look at the heating/air system without dismantling it that a person could see if everything is venting as it should.
Really, the CO2 detectors are a must.

 

[PrairieWind]

Some places being mainly Air B&Bs, where safety legislation seems to be a bit lacking.

Maybe they should be under the same legislation as landlords and long term apartment rentals.

Are CO detectors and smoke alarms a legal requirement in the US, or does it vary by state? They are both very inexpensive. No reason NOT to have them.

I do think Air B&B should mandate a minimum safety list requirements for all rentals in all countries.

These property owners are quite often charging huge sums for nightly rental, and ridiculous sums for "cleaning fees" etc. and not really providing much in return.

MOO.

It is largely regulated at the state level. But I believe the International Building Code, adopted by many states, does require CO detectors in certain areas. I would think its a good idea to require them in hotels, and bnbs. Those are areas where the occupants are not going to be aware of what the conditions are like, how well maintained heating units are etc.

 

[Snoopster]

eeek! My son is currently staying in an AirBnb in Mexico City so this news item is uncomfortble for me timing-wise.

Having said that, I've stayed in AirBnbs in Mexico City in the past as well and generally follow Mexican news for travel purposes. I don't recall hearing from expat groups that this type of thing is a common problem.
I do think that we have to be aware that safety standards aren't always going to be up to the standards where we live. Airbnb listings do have to include info on whether the apartment as CO detectors and smoke detectors. But since the places aren't inspected, it would be easy for a host to lie.

I feel for the family. How horrific to have this happen...and being so far away in another country!
I'm not surprised though that authorities wouldn't immediately hand over the personal possessions like computers, until they have completed their investigation. The incident happened just over a week ago.

ETA: corrected. Accidentally called it a CO2 detector. Obviously I meant carbon monoxide dectector. :blush:

 

[branmuffin]

I think a lot of people forget that Mexico is still behind when it comes to things like building codes and other forms of infrastructure. Staying in a resort that caters to international travelers with state of the art bathrooms and up to date air conditioning, isn't a reflection of what other areas of Mexico have. Stringent regulations regarding insecticides banned in the rest of North America and CO2 requirements outside of high profile commercial venues may be absent in certain areas.


This link says that the COD was carbon monoxide poisoning yet in the same article says COD is unknown.

Three Americans died of carbon monoxide inhalation in Mexico City

Jordan Marshall, Kandace Florence and Courtez Hall, died from carbon monoxide inhalation at an apartment in Mexico City on October 30.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Snoopster]

and another similar recent case....
Deadly carbon monoxide poisoning in Mexico City vacation rental

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

Yikes. CO was my first thought. That is so frightening because there is really no warning and it can happen anywhere. CO detectors need to be more common.

This has happened more than once in Mexico. That's very scary. I think that everyone should buy a plug-in CO detector and pack it in their luggage to use on trips. That's what I am doing on our next trip.

JMO.

 

[Snoopster]

This has happened more than once in Mexico. That's very scary. I think that everyone should buy a plug-in CO detector and pack it in their luggage to use on trips. That's what I am doing on our next trip.

JMO.

I'm adding it to my packing list!

OT: I love Mexico. I love Mexico City.
And if any of you get a chance to visit Oaxaca City, I recommend that too (if you are more than an 'all-inclusive beach resort' person), particularly if you love food, architecture and culture.

 

[asmi106082]

I think I’m on this site too often but I don’t think someone could pay me to vacation in Mexico these days. MOO

 

[Snoopster]

I think I’m on this site too often but I don’t think someone could pay me to vacation in Mexico these days. MOO

Just so you don't think this only happens in Mexico:

Man, son dead of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in Inverness; daughter hospitalized - KTVZ

Five people taken to Omaha hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning

3 Nebraska residents die of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide killed a Houston mother and daughter. A firefighter was reprimanded after a delayed 911 response | Houston Public Media

12 hospitalized for apparent carbon monoxide poisoning at Irving home, officials say

4 die from carbon monoxide poisoning in Clackamas County amid winter storm

Woman, teen found dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in south Macon

Couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning at Sandals resort in Bahamas, pathologist finds

I could easily go on and on.
I believe that the message here is that if you are going to an Airbnb, you should check to see if they have a CO detector.
And, as Mexico is poorer than the USA/Canada, and visitors are happy to pay less for accommodation, they should be a bit more vigilant about safety infrastructure there. Or simply pay for a better place.

 

[asmi106082]

Just so you don't think this only happens in Mexico:

Man, son dead of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in Inverness; daughter hospitalized - KTVZ

Five people taken to Omaha hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning

3 Nebraska residents die of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide killed a Houston mother and daughter. A firefighter was reprimanded after a delayed 911 response | Houston Public Media

12 hospitalized for apparent carbon monoxide poisoning at Irving home, officials say

4 die from carbon monoxide poisoning in Clackamas County amid winter storm

Woman, teen found dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in south Macon

Couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning at Sandals resort in Bahamas, pathologist finds

I could easily go on and on.
I believe that the message here is that if you are going to an Airbnb, you should check to see if they have a CO detector.
And, as Mexico is poorer than the USA/Canada, and visitors are happy to pay less for accommodation, they should be a bit more vigilant about safety infrastructure there. Or simply pay for a better place.

Oh yes I know. I’m more talking about Mexico as in cartels, shady resorts, cartels, cartels and cartels. lol

ETA I know cartels have nothing to do with this particular case, I just always think about every Mexican case I’ve read on here when I see Mexico.