Mexico Mexico - Robert Cantrell, 62, American, retired psychologist, wanted to see a property in Cancun, 20 Jun 2023

  • #61
RC looks / seems almost manic, though obviously confused. I watched part of the video, but now my internet signal is low and I can’t finish it. Im not clear on how he ended up in the reporters car, and… What happened after the reporter made the phone call? Did he take him to the hospital or did RC leave on foot? I’m just a little confused as to the timeline of events. TIA
 
  • #62
RC looks / seems almost manic, though obviously confused. I watched part of the video, but now my internet signal is low and I can’t finish it. Im not clear on how he ended up in the reporters car, and… What happened after the reporter made the phone call? Did he take him to the hospital or did RC leave on foot? I’m just a little confused as to the timeline of events. TIA
The article states he got in the ambulance . But what happened after that? I guess he just wandered off?
I hope he’s surviving somehow.
 
  • #63
The article states he got in the ambulance . But what happened after that? I guess he just wandered off?
I hope he’s surviving somehow.
They haven't said what happened, but clearly someone dropped the ball. Perhaps everyone assumed someone else was taking care of him?

I watched the original fb posted by the reporter: Someone with excellent English came, Robert agreed to get into the ambulence, the English-speaker talked to him for 10 minutes or so (can't really hear), translating his interpretation of their conversation to the ambulence paramedic, and also speaking briefly to a police officer. The last thing he calls out to Robert is along the lines of 'don't worry, you'll be okay, everything will be taken care of, just relax, you're safe', and then waves the ambulence off.

But then what? Did the paramedic convey everything to the hospital staff, or did that person fail to pass the info on to other staff? Perhaps they didn't realize he was mentally ill?

The policeman looked alarming even in that context: full swat-type gear, open-carry weapon, balaklava-like facemask. Anyone would be alarmed about going anywhere with them...

The reporter drove away after the ambulence left, effusively thanking everyone who'd been involved. He must have been crushed to realize it was all for naught.

JMO

ETA: I've heard of the same thing happening here, without the problems of a language barrier. Perhaps the Mexicans thought his problems were just from that.

JMO
 
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  • #64
Has it been *confirmed* that Robert has a mental illness, or is this speculation? Fear, and the results of a beating which could include a head trauma can make anyone appear unbalanced.

I am very familiar with this area of Mexico, and never vacation there without a paid docent/driver. The description of the police there is par for the course. They don’t mess around.

Amateur opinion and speculation
 
  • #65
Has it been *confirmed* that Robert has a mental illness, or is this speculation? Fear, and the results of a beating which could include a head trauma can make anyone appear unbalanced.

I am very familiar with this area of Mexico, and never vacation there without a paid docent/driver. The description of the police there is par for the course. They don’t mess around.

Amateur opinion and speculation
Regardless of the diagnosis, temporary or permanent, he wasn't capable of providing the friendly reporter with the name of any contact or any kind of home address. He said his mind was scrambled. He told a story that wasn't true, about 4 people having been with him in Mexico, but they all left to go back to the US.

So I think that's why he needed someone to stay with him and not expect he'd be able to sort his situation out on his own.

JMO
 
  • #66
Has it been *confirmed* that Robert has a mental illness, or is this speculation? Fear, and the results of a beating which could include a head trauma can make anyone appear unbalanced.

I am very familiar with this area of Mexico, and never vacation there without a paid docent/driver. The description of the police there is par for the course. They don’t mess around.

Amateur opinion and speculation
He worked (retired) with substance abuse clients. I don't know if it is an inpatient facility. His daughter who’s heading the search, did mention that he has been in recovery. He recently lost his husband, the love of his life.
 
  • #67
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  • #68
RC looks / seems almost manic, though obviously confused. I watched part of the video, but now my internet signal is low and I can’t finish it. Im not clear on how he ended up in the reporters car, and… What happened after the reporter made the phone call? Did he take him to the hospital or did RC leave on foot? I’m just a little confused as to the timeline of events. TIA
It is really, really confusing. The first thing that popped into my mind was a manic episode. I worked in psychiatry for many years and that's what it looks like at first glance. There could be many other causes for his symptoms, though. The confusion (and awareness that he is confused) is what really throws me off. Withdrawal from substances, head injury, cerebrovascular event, so many things. And remember the woman (in CA?) who was found in the back of her car, having succumbed to the effects of a thyrotoxic storm?

In any case, he appears extremely vulnerable. The cab driver was wonderful, but it's so hard to figure out what happened when they parted ways from what's being reported.
 
  • #69
It is really, really confusing. The first thing that popped into my mind was a manic episode. I worked in psychiatry for many years and that's what it looks like at first glance. There could be many other causes for his symptoms, though. The confusion (and awareness that he is confused) is what really throws me off. Withdrawal from substances, head injury, cerebrovascular event, so many things. And remember the woman (in CA?) who was found in the back of her car, having succumbed to the effects of a thyrotoxic storm?

In any case, he appears extremely vulnerable. The cab driver was wonderful, but it's so hard to figure out what happened when they parted ways from what's being reported.
I do think, as statedcupthread, it really does appear to be a cardiovascular/vascular stroke episode to me.
 
  • #70
I do think, as stated upthread, it really does appear to be a cardiovascular/vascular stroke episode to me.
...onset by STRESS???
Believable!!
 
  • #71
He worked (retired) with substance abuse clients. I don't know if it is an inpatient facility. His daughter who’s heading the search, did mention that he has been in recovery. He recently lost his husband, the love of his life.
Thanks - this provides some important context.
 
  • #72
  • #73
Was the "realtor" to pick him up at the airport? Im afraid he was doomed upon arrival @CUN...his mission was to view real estate - he had communicated so prior - was the agent legit?? The new cartel is worse than any before...

( not CUN but an example fwiw) ETA: Drug Cartels Are Scamming American Tourists With Beachfront Property
I see the article refers to fake timeshare purchase offers, (a typical advance-fee, Nigerian Prince style scam).

Since Robert already owned houses in Mexico, I think he'd know the drill: work with an American based in the expat community, who has other expats as clients.

JMO
 
  • #74
I see the article refers to fake timeshare purchase offers, (a typical advance-fee, Nigerian Prince style scam).

Since Robert already owned houses in Mexico, I think he'd know the drill: work with an American based in the expat community, who has other expats as clients.

JMO

Clearly.
 
  • #75
The look in his eyes reminded of my mother who passed suffering from Alzheimer's. I suppose it's possible he's having some type of mental heath issue, a head injury or maybe someone slipped him a dangerous drug?
I feel terrible for his daughter and family. They must be so worried.
BBM
I am just now watching the original video and at some point Mr. Cantrell says he was at black house and that's where he was beaten. When the first paramedic arrived and observed Mr. Cantrell, his first suspicion was that he had been drugged.

Log into Facebook
 
  • #76
This story had touched my heart and I cannot stop looking for updates. My heart goes out to his family and especially HIM for some reason! I have done some searching of his social media pages and feel drawn to him and his beautiful spirit! I ran across a blog page (not sure if I can link it or not?) written by him, and he's such a great writer. I think I feel emotionally drawn to this knowing he lost his partner and seeing the pain in the social posts about it. I lost my husband 18 months ago and I feel his pain on this subject. I'm hoping for a good outcome on this one.
 
  • #77
This story had touched my heart and I cannot stop looking for updates. My heart goes out to his family and especially HIM for some reason! I have done some searching of his social media pages and feel drawn to him and his beautiful spirit! I ran across a blog page (not sure if I can link it or not?) written by him, and he's such a great writer. I think I feel emotionally drawn to this knowing he lost his partner and seeing the pain in the social posts about it. I lost my husband 18 months ago and I feel his pain on this subject. I'm hoping for a good outcome on this one.
Yes, you can link the blog if you're sure it's his.

I'm trying to just focus on sending him metta: may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be safe, may you live with ease of wellbeing.
 
  • #78
No sign of Robert yet, very disturbing. It seems to me the seeds of his disappearance were first sown even before he flew to Mexico, beginning when he missed his booked flight on the 18th. On that flight on the 20th was he alone, was he coherent, what was odd about the flight path, how “shortly“ after he arrived did he call his ex-wife and where did he call from (if it can be traced)? …..so many questions but understanding his past actions may be helpful in pointing to a path leading forward. JMO

“…..Robert’s daughter Lauren Cantrell said he had traveled to Los Angeles last month and was supposed to get on a flight from there to Cancun June 18. He missed that flight, but the U.S. Embassy confirms to the family he arrived in Cancun June 20.

“We know that he made it to Cancun on the 20th. But his flight path makes like no sense whatsoever,” Lauren said……

……Shortly after he arrived, his family says he made a very panicked phone call to his ex-wife saying his belongings were stolen and that he was trying to get back to Jacksonville.

Since that phone call to his ex-wife, Robert’s family came across a disturbing video of him on Facebook posted June 29…..”
 
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  • #79
Yes, you can link the blog if you're sure it's his.

I'm trying to just focus on sending him metta: may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be safe, may you live with ease of wellbeing.
Doesn't look like any new blog posts since mid 2022, but his stories and writing style is fascinating to me.
 
  • #80
Daughter mentioned drugs, a personal loss and a possible relapse.
 

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