Luxury Hotel in Baja California Sur Closed After Two American Tourists Die
A luxury hotel in Baja California Sur has been closed following the deaths of John Heatcho and Abby Lutz, two American tourists. The Hyatt hotel company has not yet responded to the incident.
Local authorities discovered the lifeless bodies of Heatcho and Lutz in their hotel room. Although hotel staff immediately called for assistance, it was too late. According to the region’s attorney general, the cause of their deaths was inhaling an unknown substance.
Sadly, deaths of tourists in the Baja California Sur area have previously occurred due to carbon dioxide or other gas poisoning. Poor ventilation near heaters or stoves has been identified as a potential cause of these incidents in the past. Last summer, three US citizens staying at an Airbnb in the area died from carbon dioxide inhalation.
The Rancho Pescadero Hotel reopened in December 2022 and had become a highly sought-after destination in the region. With a nightly reservation cost of up to 27,000 pesos, the hotel features 12 villas and 91 rooms/suites, with most offering ocean views. The property spans 335 meters of oceanfront and includes a sea turtle hatchery, a tropical bird sanctuary, and numerous hiking and biking trails.
The hotel was originally established in 2009 by Lisa Harper, but was closed for four years before a recent transformation. The addition of artistic ornaments blending with the natural surroundings increased the hotel’s appeal to foreign tourists.
The Hyatt hotel company has yet to issue a statement about the tragic incident. The deaths of Heatcho and Lutz highlight the importance of safety measures in hotels and other accommodation establishments. Guests should always be aware of potential hazards and ensure proper ventilation in their rooms to avoid any potential for carbon dioxide or other gas poisoning.
Our thoughts are with the families of John Heatcho and Abby Lutz during this difficult time.
