Surveillance video may give clues to Mexico beating

A woman who was brutally beaten at a resort in Mexico is now out of her medically induced coma. Her family says she has a long recovery ahead of her but she is showing good signs.

CTV News Channel: Attack details are unknown

CTV News correspondent Kumutha Ramanathan says it could be a couple weeks before the Calgary woman can return home, and explains how the family hopes more updates will come out of Mexico soon.

Canada AM: Is it still safe to travel to Mexico?

Walter McKay, a security consultant with WM Consulting, says the severe beating indicates the attack may have been more than just a robbery, and explains how despite recent attacks, it is still safe for Canadians to travel to Mexico.

CTV National News: Safety questions raised

In the latest incident raising serious questions of safety at a place popular for winter vacations, a Calgary woman has been severely beaten at a five-star resort in Mexico. CTV's Alberta Bureau Chief Janet Dirks has more on the savage attack.

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Sheila Nabb and her husband Andrew are shown in a family handout photo. The family of Nabb, a Calgary woman who was severely beaten in Mexico, says she is out of a medically induced coma and is able to recognize her husband at her bedside.

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Statement from family of Sheila Nabb

CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Tue. Jan. 24 2012 11:05 PM ET

Surveillance video may have captured the brutal beating of a Calgary woman in a Mexico hotel, according to the local state governor.

Sinaloa Gov. Mario Lopez Valdez made the remarks Tuesday, the same day he visited Sheila Nabb in hospital.

Meanwhile, Nabb was brought out of a medically-induced coma on Tuesday and began to show encouraging signs of recovery, according to a statement from the family.

She recognized her husband Andrew and her father-in-law, was responsive to questions and was able to understand and follow directions, said the statement from her brother Paul Giles.

"This is excellent news as it would appear that there is not any brain damage," the statement said.

"She was also breathing on her own (through a tracheotomy) without the assistance of a ventilator. She was able to indicate that she felt some pain, but her jaw is wired shut so she was unable to communicate verbally."

The statement said Nabb is scheduled to undergo facial reconstructive surgery either on Wednesday or Thursday, pending the outcome of CT scans scheduled for Tuesday.

"She has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but we all know that Sheila will pull through this with the support of everyone she has ever met -- and many that have never met her."

In the statement, Nabb's brother said his sister's husband Andrew has been like a "pillar" by her side throughout the ordeal.

"It just goes to show exactly how much he truly loves her," the statement said.

Nabb, a 37-year-old office manager in Calgary, and her husband were vacationing at a five-star resort in Mazatlan, when Nabb was found beaten and bloodied in a hotel elevator late last week.

Her uncle, Robert Prosser, said she left her room late at night and was found early Friday morning. Her husband didn't realize she was gone until he woke up at 6 a.m and went looking for her.

"As far as we know, she left the room on her own, got in the elevator, and that's where it happened," Prosser told CTV Atlantic.

Nabb is just the latest in a string of recent Canadian victims of violence in Mexico:

Salid Abdulacis Sabas, a 35-year-old Canadian citizen was found last week, gunned down in an area of Mexico known for drug violence
Last month, the body of Ximena Osequeda, a 39-year-old Vancouver resident and UBC student, was found on a beach in Huatulco, south of Acapulco. She had been stabbed to death, burned and buried in the sand alongside her Mexican boyfriend
Fifty-seven-year-old Robin Wood of Salt Spring Island, B.C., was killed when he attempted to fend off two home invaders in the city of Melaque

Analyzing the circumstances of the recent attacks, Mexico City-based security consultant Walter McKay says Nabb's beating stands out.

"This is very unusual," McKay told CTV's Canada AM Tuesday, noting that none of the other incidents have occurred in a luxury resort setting.

But no matter where they're headed in Mexico, McKay suggests travellers do some research and understand the level of crime in the region they're visiting first.

"If there's a high cluster of murders in the area, there's going to be a high cluster of robberies and other events as well," he said in an interview via Skype.

On that score, McKay says, "Mazatlan is on the iffy side and Acapulco, definitely, you don't want to go down there right now."

Other areas considered violent and generally unsafe for tourists include Veracruz, Huatulco, Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Chihuahua and Jalisco.

Travellers can head to many areas including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Puerta Vallarta, Mexico City and Los Cabos without worry, McKay says, but would be wise to take security precautions.

Be aware of your surroundings
Don't change money at the airport
Only use ATMs at banks or busy malls
Leave the jewelry and designer accessories at home
Never hail taxis on the street

"One thing that Mexico is known for is what they call express kidnappings," McKay explained.

"The taxi driver will work in cahoots with a gang to kidnap a person to an ATM for a couple of hours, force them to withdraw money and then release them."

Approximately 1.6 million Canadians visited Mexico in 2010. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, 112 Canadians were killed in Mexico in accidents, murders or suicides over the past five years.

With files from Kieron Lang and Andy Johnson

Comments are now closed for this story

ExMontrealer
said

Typical fear mongering from our esteemed members of the fourth estate. OK don't visit Mexico... stay home and freeze instead.

deborah
said

OMG i just finished reading most of the comments on Mexico and this innocent woman who will remember this for the rest of her life,and people say dont go to Columbia?Ha!Wake Up Canadians!!The cdn/us govt.has free trade with Mexico,they dont give a damn about what happens to you! I`ve been to Cuba once and I said the food was average but the most wonderful beaches and most educated people,Hurray for Castro for keeping it safe for tourist!

Jenny
said

Maybe your article should mention that Mr. Salid was dealing drugs down in Mexico... Get your facts straight. How about investigating the husband on the recent assault. The tourism industry is suffering in Mexico because of all the scary article you write. I am currently in Mazatlan and have been coming here for over 15 years and I have never been scared. It is a matter of behaving properly (not getting smashed drunk and insulting locals) and not dealing drugs...does not that apply to all countries

Rockon
said

Maybe it's time to support your local mall"

About to go to Mexico
said

Good grief people! The story is barely 24 hours old. Not all the facts are available yet, won't be for weeks/months - the story is changing hourly.Yet hundreds of people (on this site and others)are willing to condemn an entire counrty and ignorantly (read a dictionary) try to sway people from travelling to Mexico.Yes, there are "cheaper" places to go. Yes there are "safer" places to go.Be informed, be safe. Mazatlan has been on the Canadian and US travel advisory for quite some time. So has Huatulco and the other 3 places where deaths occurred in the last couple of months.Mexico (as are other places, I grant you) is rich in culture, the people are wonderful, food amazing and if you are a smart & informed traveller is as safe as anywhere else. Don't be a DUMB TOURIST.As for Cuba - the beaches and weather are great and it's much safer than Mexico. Perhaps that's because it's a communist country populated by poor souls under the cruel thumb of Castro. No thanks - not interested in lining that pocket. Last time I was there I lost 7 pounds while on vacation for God's sake, the food at my 5 star resort was inedible. And it was no cheaper than Mexico, DR, Bahamas, Costa Rico or anywhere else that I've been.

Tina
said

I think what people have forgotten here is Sheila is someone's child, sister, grandchild, and she is wife to someone. Shame on the ones who are going off about this story. It's so sad that this poor girl was on a holiday and this happen to her. Nobody should have to go through something so horrible while on a holiday. Regardless of her where about when it happen, or why she left her room, she is a young girl that did not deserve to have every bone in her face broken. May Sheila and her family recover from all this tragedy. May god be with her and the families at this very sad time.

Marlene
said

I have been reading all the comments and I am a little afraid to travel to Mexico. All I have to say is lay off your negative comments about Winnipeg,. MB. I have lived here all my life and let's face it you have to be careful where ever you go. Toronto, Vancouver and other parts of our country have lots of rape, murders, etc. Bottom line...
Be careful where ever you go.

Elle
said

Though I believe there is a lot of corruption and crime in Mexico we shouldn't make judgements until we know the facts. It could have been hotel personnel, security (likely the case with the Ianeros), someone off the street or even her own husband. Truth is we don't know. The stories are already starting to get weird....first there were reports she was attacked in her room and dragged to the elevator...now her husband was sleeping in the room and it took place in the elevator. It all sounds strange to me. I'm sure in time we will find out when the victim can speak.

Janet Hagen
said

People should not be so quick to judge Mexico, and the people on Mazatlan. We are in Mazatlan right now, and drive here every year. We know someone who works at the RIU hotel and apparently they arrested a 50 year old Canadian man yesterday for the crime....not sure if this is true.

Will C
said

Call it cynical, but it should be pointed out that the vast majority of these types of crime (often crimes of 'passion') are committed by a spouse or someone close to the victim. Simply stating a fact. One post has already noted the curious silence on the part of the husband, and the other three examples of recent murders were attributed to a drug hit, murder by assailant(s) unknown, and a home invasion. As was reported, this particular instance is 'unique' in that it took place at a luxury resort - not normally a hot bed of crime. As for the doting husband, perhaps he is, I HOPE he is, but the fact remains that Scott Peterson was initially the 'ideal' husband in 2002, and before him, in 1989, a man in Boston, by the name of Charles Stuart, fit the same bill; both murdered pregnant spouses, steadfastly professed their innocence (Stuart nearly touched off a race riot in Bean Town by accusing a black man of the crime), and played the 'grieving, heartbroken' role to near perfection. Peterson is now on Death Row in California. Stuart committed suicide after being turned in by his brother who had become an unwitting accomplice.Just saying.

Nickie Vancouver BC
said

Have been going to Puerto Vallarta on vacations every year for the last 15 yrs. I love it! Sometimes you get the same problems that you find at home, a rude cabbie, over zelous salesman, someone begging for change.....no sorry....that's in Vancouver where I live not in PV. Mexicans have more pride than to outright beg, they try to sell u some goods they have made or other.But like other suggest, I have gone to try other warm destinations instead, like the year I went to Trinidad for Carnival and had a heck of a...let's just say..time, after going to my hotel's welcoming party and after 20min in was drugged via my cocktail and later awoke in the hospital, ...if it could be called that.. to be told that I had been severely beaten and raped and that I should catch the next flight home.....So I will continue to enjoy my quiet and beautiful vacations in Mexico, where the people are happy and smiling and always ready to be sell you something nice and useless and be a friend to a Snowbird.

Will
said

I would rather go someplace civilized, like Bagdad.

w.w.
said

Italian Captain kills how many by doing WHAT? Kids shot dead in rural Alberta who were just going home for Christmas? Father kills daughters for his "honor"! Living is risky business my Friends. I'm just one retired old fart riding my motorcycle through Mexico. Wish you were here . . .

Mea
said

While i also am a bit curious about where her husband was, I feel she would have a very noticeable reaction to her husbands presence.Also, when my husband and I travel, I don't sleep well, so I often go wander around and get something to drink or ice, so please don't assume that he's guilty. I'd hate for people to think my husband attacked me if I too was beaten.

Meghan
said

Go make ur comments about mexico on the resort pages or somewhere more appropriate. this is news about a woman with family and loved ones. Mexico will always be a popular destination to travel and you people are basically saying this woman who was beaten is an idiot....quite rude I would say.Ive been their 3 times all different parts and im still here.

I pray that her and her family can get through this and that she has a very quick recovery so she can come back to our amazing country.

Tortilla Flat
said

Drug cartels running rampant; corrupt judicial system; pitiful human rights record ... My brother was robbed by the 'federales' (federal cops) - Mexico's version of the RCMP) while traveling to Central America ... When I was living in San Diego a few years back, a favourite ruse of traffickers was to hide their drugs on an American vehicle, follow it through customs, and retrieve it once it was safely in the States and pity the unsuspecting 'mules' that got flagged at customs and became 'guests of the state' at one of its 'five star' prisons. No thanks. Never went - don't think I ever will. Hear that Cuba's worth a look-see, though ...

ronnie from montreal
said

number one glad that she is out of her coma !! my best to you !! we go to mexico , but now I dont think that we will be going back there any more !!

said

What a terribly shame for this young lady to be on a dream vacation, and something so terrible to have happened to her in a 5-star hotel. My gosh, if this is a 5-star hotel, and to have this type of incident happen there, leaves me wondering how protected you are at these hotels regardless of star class. I just answered my own question - "not protected at all".My husband and I visited Mexico in 2006 to Los Cabos and we stayed at a 5-star hotel, which was absolutely beautiful and I must say the staff were very friendly and always so kind and helpful - however, ask me if I would ever go to Mexico again after hearing about this young lady, along with the other incidents most recently that happened in Mexico? "no I would not" - not even if I won the trip for free, I would not go. The one or two weeks of sun is simply - not at all worth it.I now have a different outlook on my snow-white province and its 10 feet of snow in minus 30 degree weather! I will keep it and thank the good lord for living in such a peacful area. I truly wish this young lady and her family a blessed and speedy recovery.

NH
said

People are actually arguing that Mexico is safe because murder rates over the past 5 years in winnipeg and edmonton are higher? Are you nuts. 112 canadian tourists in five years doesn't represent the total number of violent attacks in that country. do you think no other countries citizens, or locals are having problems. The canadians attacked down there are a drop in the bucket, not a representetive of the total scope of their problems. Stay out of mexico, The government and police are corrupt, your government cannot or will not help you when you are there. And there are far better, safer regions to go to that are far more deserving of your tourist dollars.

Love Mazatlan
said

I have been spending winters in Mazatlan for over 30 years and have never felt theatened in any way or felt unsafe in hotels, apartments or condos that I have stayed in. Since retiring 12 yrs. ago, every winter has been spent here and to my knowledge no Canadian has ever been murdered in Mazatlan. The Mexican people are very friendly, kind and helpful and some have been come very good and loyal friends.They do not jeopardize their livelyhoods with violence against the tourists. Why is it that this story has received so much more media coverage than the 80- something lady in Winnipeg that was so severely beaten in "her OWN home"???? Are our seniors so much less important and valuable Canadian citizens?? Yes....this is a tragedy, but the story is far from being told. There are alot of questions about what actually went on and why she left their room in the middle of the night without her husbands knowledge. Very strange behaviour indeed! Let's not condemn MX. until the facts are known. AND.....be assured that if the Mexicans are not at fault, the story will very quickly be disappear and no apologies will be forthcoming. BREAKING NEWS...a woman has just been found murdered in an apartment in Winnipeg. Let's all see how much media coverage this one gets!!! PS She's DEAD!!!

Julie
said

So, 112 Canadians killed by accident, murder or suicide in last 5 years...they say. What we don't know is how many tourists from other nationalities have been killed in Mexico....if Canada has 112, the number of tourist murders overall in Mexico must be quite the number. There is also a lot of discussion on here about the murder rate in some Canadian cities but another important differance between Canada and Mexico is our police force and government is not corrupt and run by drug cartels. My definition of a vacation is it's an escape from the rat race... not watching your every move and looking over your shoulder to make sure you stay alive.

Gerald
said

@Susie-Q Mtl... Those are all nice places but my son was robbed in New Zealand a few years ago. Great kid, did nothing wrong...for.$60. There are no safe havens anywhere. You always have to watch your back wherever you go, but Mexico ?...There's starting to be too much too often.

JM
said

My prayers are with you Sheila, may your recovery be quick and as painless as it can be. May your spirit and heart remain strong.

Only-son-1
said

Last time I went to Mexico was the last time. What I don't understand is why people continue to choose that destination. For those of you that recommend going there, that you had the time of your life and that you felt safe should learn to "know your surroundings" you didn't see the schemers that had their eyes on you the whole time, all they needed was an opportunity.

Rev in VC
said

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. I've noticed that all these reports from CTV keeps iterating how many CANADIANs have been attacked. What I want to know is, how many people of other nations have been attacked as well. That would put numbers more into perspective. Now if somehow it turns out it's been ONLY Canadians, well that's disturbing. And their travel advise? Be aware of your surroundings, and stuff..... So basically we need to be constantly watching our backs while on vacation? Great.....

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

If I were a travel agent I would remove any kind of option of even traveling through any part of Mexico from any of the vacation packages I might offer. You want to give prospective clients the travel experience of their choice but you also want repeat business. This pattern of brutality against Canadian tourists includes ineptitude by Mexican law enforcement if not blatant corruption and in several cases Canadians have returned home in coffins.

KHB
said

What I don't get it why is the husband so conspicously quiet? God, if it were my wife, I would take charge and speak to the press, police, etc. Why is her boss getting more airtime than the hubby? Why are the uncle and the siblings making the official statements for the family.I just returned from that resort last week, and to be honest, there is a ton of security. There is just way too much information we are not getting. Why are there not any tweets from people that are currently at the resort? The absence of information is alarming.

Janey
said

If you are ever hurt, or get into innocent trouble in Mexico, just remember this: Don't rely on the Canadian Consulate there. They won't do a damn thing for you, but will tell your family they are. I speak from someone's brutal experience...

AR
said

It has been a few years since we went and although we always had a good time I would not risk going to mexico at this time. I would not feel safe and I do not buy the view that the media is blowing it out of proportion. If you were now in a hospital with a broken jaw needing facial reconstructive surgery you would not think it had been blown out of proportion.

CanMan
said

1.6 million Canadian's traveled to Mexico in 2010. Lets say hypothetically that over the last five years 7 million have traveled there. Over the past 5 years we have seen 112 Canadians killed for different reason's. Now lets do the math for the ignorant: 112/7000000 = 0.000016 therefore, 0.0016% of Canadian's traveling to Mexico over the past five years have been killed in accidents, murders, suicides, etc. TIP: if there is excessive violence in certain areas of another country, and little to no violence in other areas of the same country. Take a guess where you should go! You wouldn't book a hotel in a high crime rate area of a Canadian city. Would you?!

No WAY
said

I decided years ago that I will not set foot in Mexico. You couldn't pay me to vacation in that violent place!

D.
said

I can't even finish reading the comments! 2 years ago before Mazatlan got "bad" my parents were there, me and my husband had just left and they witnessed a body on he street with cops surrounding them with guns drawn. They missed the shooting by minutes.... Mazatlan is NOT safe!!!!!! There is a reason it is incredibly cheap to go there. I've heard a lot of shops and restaurants have closed down to lack of tourism.... If everyone would take the warning seriously there wouldn't be so many deaths and accidents there! They are very serious and dont think "it won't happen to me"

Scott in TO
said

@ JW "...think mexico is such a bad place? ...Because almost every day in winnipeg, MB there is a murder, assault, rape or robbery." Hey JW, another reason why people don't want to go to Winnipeg either!

Tamara
said

How long will it take and how many lives need to be lost for Canadians to catch on that Mexico is not the place to spend their tourist dollars? In my opinion a great holiday is not worrying about being killed or brutally beat up for no apparent reason. I know I won't contribute to a Country that has no control on its criminals!

Vincent
said

This stuff doesn't happen in Cuba.

Mic N
said

I am glad to hear that she has come out of her coma. My prayers to her. Seeing as she is remembering family members, maybe they can ask her who did it? She may not know the person, but at the very least she will know if it was another tourist, her husband, or a Mexican resident.

maria
said

just wondering why we don't know the full story. where was her husband? Was she left alone? why hasn't he said anything about this terrible accident. perhaps this would clear things up a little

Susie-Q Mtl.
said

I'm so glad this woman has come out of her coma. Next time she wants to go on vacation may I suggest Australia, New Zealand,British Virgin Islands, Or some other place where the people are more civilized. Mexico has too many drug gangs. It is too violent. We went through that here in Mtl. with all the drug gangs. We nipped that in the bud. Now we are working on a Mafia prob. making progress. Good.

Morphius
said

Mexico is home to an open drug war that spills out into the streets without shame. The nation's general's fear for there own lives, and a high percentage of local police either are corrupt or turn a blind-eye, while people live in terrible poverty. Story after story of something rotten appears but still people believe it doesn't stink ...that bad.Draw any comparsion, make any justification you like - "vacationing" in Mexico while that kind of violence is present just shows how little people care. You may as well live in the Martrix. People believe Mexico is beautiful and safe, and why not, nobody wants to wake-up and realize they are vacationing in sludge.

Richard
said

Like I said before, so far, there is no evidence that Sheila Nabb was attacked by a Mexican resident. We don't know the circumstances as to who was involved or why the attack took place. For all we know, it could have been another tourist who attacked her. If an equivalent attack happened to a Mexican on Canadian or US soil, the media wouldn't be drawing conclusions as they are in this case. The public should be showing their support and sympathy to Sheila Nabb without using her tragic attack as a platform to disseminate their anti-Mexico sentiments.

barbara
said

i wonder if this attack on this lady could have been carried by another tourist instead of a local. i was attacked by another tourist at a resort a few years. thank god people in the hall way heard me screeming and broke into the room. i was shaken up and had some bruses but not seriously hurt. . i hope this lady makes a full recovery.

jm
said

We have been to different parts of Mexico every year for the past 10 years and never had any issue. I agree, the circumstances are odd for the latest incident in Mazatlan!! Edmonton's murder rate was over 40 for 2011 x that by 5 years, Wow over 200, but you don't see people moving from or boycotting Edmonton. People must be smart when they travel or walk the streets of their own city!

CM
said

Mexico is in the middle of a WAR - it may be a drug war, but it's still a WAR! Why would anyone go on vacation to any part of a country that is at WAR??? By vacationing in Mexico you are only supporting the corrupt authorities and putting yourself at risk. There are so many other great places to visit, choose responsibly.

ChrisM
said

I wouldn't go to Mexico if they paid me to. The place is on a death-spiral.

james ellis
said

All to simple,
``No go to MEXICO``

christine
said

Whew. Talk about opposing views! I for one am waiting for the full story to come out before saying don't go here and don't go there. Come on people, take a breath first before jumping on the "hate Mexico" train. Personally I won't go to Jane and Finch (in Toronto) by myself at night. To me it would put me at the same or an even higher possibility of being harmed as going out by myself somewhere in ANY foriegn country.

A Mom
said

My sons were held up by the police, there vehicle was ransacked both there IPOD touches were stolen and all the money they had on them 1000 pesos. Mexican residents warned them afterwards never give your ID to the police. If pulled over only open window a crack if they want to see ID push it up against the glass. If they have your ID they can extort anything from you. They were pulled over again by police and followed these instructions and the policeman just got back in his cruiser and sped off.I was worried about the criminals but it is also the police you must watch out for in Mexico.

JW
said

ummm for you people who think mexico is such a bad place? have you not been reading the paper. Because almost every day in winnipeg, MB there is a murder, assault, rape or robbery. I have walked the streets in mexico and have felt a lot safer then walking in the vicinity of downtown winnipeg.

MellieT
said

I rarely comment on forums like these, but my outrage has led me to speak out. It amazes me how ignorant journalism in Canada and U.S. has become and how there's a tendency to make alarmist assumptions without having the facts yet. So far, there is no evidence that Sheila Nabb was attacked by a Mexican resident. We don't know the circumstances as to who was involved or why the attack took place. For all we know, it could have been another tourist who attacked her. If an equivalent attack happened to a Mexican on Canadian or US soil, the media wouldn't be drawing conclusions as they are in this case. The public should be showing their support and sympathy to Sheila Nabb without using her tragic attack as a platform to disseminate their anti-Mexico sentiments.

Bongo
said

Jan: How does a resort break your foot? That's something that you do to yourself. Then, you traveled AGAIN (only months later I might add)... with a cast on? Who travels with a cast on their foot?

marc
said

I just turned down a free trip to Mexico...

I rather drink beer & play by Xbox then going to that place..

Mexico is the next middle east.

Cam
said

I think what people are forgetting is that the murder rate in many Caribean nations is even higher than Mexico! I'm not saying that makes Mexico, but that those who go to neighboring countries are equally deluded.

Tom Hanna
said

I have travelled N America extensively and could never imagine going thru a hell such as that, I would refer that as getting your foot caught in the stirrup and pray that the horse would give you one good kick and put you out of your misery

LLCoolJ
said

You know where I really like travelling -wait for pause- CANADA !! It's really cool, the hard working people really deserve my vacation money, there's beaches, mountains, history. Could go on and on but the point is, and I've spent alot of time in Mexico vacationing, it would add up to a couple of years, and last year was my last trip. I've allways travelled on the "safe side", the yucatan, and there is definately an increasing hostility there, that makes it suck now. The people amount to greedy, decietful and untrustworthy, having to watch your back all day is not relaxing. Even quiet Isla Mujeres, one of my favorite places on earth, is full of drug dealers. Every vendor pitches the "I know what you really want" line trying to sell me cocaine while I'm strolling around with my kids. Take the tourist money away and maybe they'll attempt to clean up their act, they're like giving booze to an alcoholic. Keep going, keep getting robbed, and you keep feeding the problem.

Fred Astaire
said

I would boycott Mexico as a tourist destination at this point.

Why keep visiting it? One can go to many safer Caribbean destinations!!!

Jan
said

We used to go to Mexico often. Our last 2 trips (likely last 2 forever) have completely changed our lives. The first I broke my foot walking on resort property. The resort doctor checked it out, said wasn't broken but badly sprained, gave me a bunch of pain meds. Most staff were super helpful after (5+ star resort) however security and management seemed more concerns with getting me to sign a form basically saying I wouldn't sue the resort than my medical condition. Once I returned home I saw my doctor and had X-rays and it was absolutely broken. Same thing had happened to my mom a few years earlier. Our next trip a few months later (still had cast in but was pre booked) we stayed at Grand Riviera Princess and were there on Nov 14, 2

Katie
said

If we had as many tourists being murdered in Canada as in Mexico, you can bet that many countries would have a travel advisory out on us. The Tourism Specialist mentions that this latest attempted murder is the first in a resort setting. No it is not. In the last few years a man was found badly beaten in a five start resort and the Ianerios (husband and wife) were found brutally murdered in their luxury resort room. In both cases those people were accused of being drunk and or associated with the mob. Two innocent women who just happened to be checking out the day of the Ianerios murder were arrested and authorities tried to pin the murder on them. The police then tried to paint the Ianerios as being involved with organized crime. So not only do these people loose their lives, police try to totally destroy their reputations. Just a reminder of all that has happened in Mexico to Canadians over the last few years. There is no other country in the world where this much has happened to Canadian tourists. We need to stop supporting this corrupt country with our travel dollars.

Sky
said

I have a mexican friend who always encourages us to vacation in Mexico to help the economy and the poor. I just came back from a vacation from Dominican Republic, based on the rating on Transat Holiday's website the resort must have been 4.5 star. We suffered from many different issues for the whole week and we were happy to come back but I guess we were lucky not be attacked... What I see is that the resorts are taking canadaina traveller's for granted. The standards are going down everyday and we are not doing anything about it either. having 112 Canadian travellers killed in Mexico in the last 5 years is not anything close to accidental.

Logic
said

If you're traveling to a country which seems dangerous to tourists, specially when the government has issued warnings, I would hope that if you are attacked and injured, you are prepared to pay your own medical treatments.

Goldens
said

I hope that she has a speedy recovery and not left with a pile of debt. You don't have to look just at Mexico. You are looking at the future Canada if the drug problem in this country isn't addressed. All drugs must be legalized. Each person using drugs must be registered along with their purchases. The police must have immediate access to that information. Those selling outside of the system must be dealt with severely. Not one cent of tax, all profits must go to rehabilitation and preventive education. If there were thumbs all the doctors, lawyers, judges police, journalists etc. using, would be hitting the thumbs down right now.

Jayhu
said

I have an idea for the Government of Canada, two words - TRAVEL BAN -Keeping Canadian alive is your job so do it. Haulting Canadian tourism to that banana republic would teach their government and resort owners a lesson. But that solution is to effective and simply that it will not be employed.

Joseph
said

You know, I can think of thousands of wonderful places to go without having to worry about such violence...My dollars will not be spent in Mexico when a woman gets beaten half to death in her own Hotel, which obviously has no security...

Debb
said

Everywhere I go, only takes me away from the best country in the world - CANADA. This year, Newfoundland here we come!

MJ
said

It's frustrating to see people constantly brushing away any concern people are posting about Mexico. "violence happens anywhere" "if you're looking for trouble, you'll find it" etc etc etc. Sure, violence occurs everywhere however the violence in North America GENERALLY occurs because The victim is involved in something they shouldnt be....drugs, gangs, theft, fraud, drinking and driving etc. In Mexico, it seems that there is a lot of senseless violence to innocent bystanders or as the result of robberies etc. the victims in these instances in a lot of cases have not 'asked for' anything. I'll be avoiding Mexico like the plague until they get their stuff together. Go to Dominican, Jamaica, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman etc. So many safer options. Mexican authorities need to take back control and weed out the corrupted amoungst them.

steve
said

to the people foolishly comparing the amount of murders of canadians to the murders back here in canada, i think you are missing a big point. these are tourists being murdered. how many tourists are murdered in canada. get real people. you dont really want to start comparing murder rates in canada to mexico now do you. and @ Love Puerto Vallarta , brian in pg , Michelle, E, and Mick, enjoy your next trip to mexico but dont forget to look over your back. they love people like you over there.

JB in Ontario
said

That is very encouraging news! Godspeed in recovery.

nevergoingtomexicoagain
said

My husband and I have gone back and forth about going back to Mexico since 2004. Every year we have gone to other islands. This year we thought a to heck with it and starting looking for resorts near Playa Del Carmen. We wanted to make sure we didn't pick the hotel that BLEW UP thats year. So after we narrowed down our choices I did some research and came across BRENT MIDLOCK. After hearing how they were treated after their 8 year old son died from being sucked into a pipe that was NOT covered in a saltwater pool (Occidental Grande Xcaret) I will NEVER EVER set foot in that country again. They have no regard for human life, and when a tragedy happens all the gov't does it cover it up. Now for the people who are still going to go......what kind of holiday is going to a country where you will have to be looking over your backs everywhere you go, resort or in town. How in the world can that be a relaxing vacation. Seriously???? Think about it. Please google BRENT MIDLOCK and read the story of this poor boys horrible death, it will make you think twice especially before taking your family to Mexico.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

I always get a chuckle when the folks who, somewhat angrily, suggest that Mexico is "safe" support their argument with a laundry list of dangerous things you should avoid doing and dangerous places you should avoid going to. Seemingly, in other words, don't actually vacation in Mexico and be a relaxed tourist, vacation within the safe confines of an all-inclusive Mexican resort and experience as little of Mexico as possible. Okay. (Based upon 2011 homicide statistics, 5 of the world's 10 deadliest cities are in Mexico. 40 of the top 50 most violent cities in the world are in Latin America. 4 American cities reside in the top 50, with New Orleans ranking highest at 21.)

Love Puerto Vallarta
said

I have held off commenting but here goes. We go to Puerto Vallarta 2 or 3 times a year. We have never had any problems - we both feel as safe there as we do in Etobicoke (where we live). In fact, we are considering purchasing our retirement home there. The Canadian travel advisory warns not to travel across the US border into Mexico by car. If you are looking for trouble, you will find it - anywhere! My heart goes out to this young girl from Calgary but I am certain that there will be more to this story than we are hearing. I strongly recommend travel to Puerto Vallarta and will continue travelling there. Like everywhere else, you must be cautious - but not afraid. There are areas in Toronto that I would not travel to at night ...

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

@Michelle if you still insist on going. Never have you or other members of your family alone in the hotel. Always more than one person. Be careful about answering your door, check who is riding the elevator etc. Hmmm doesn't sound much like a vacation to me. Maybe you could just cancel the trip and get a refund if you can and go somewhere where security isn't so much an issue.

brian in pg
said

i just got back from purto vallarta and we had a wonderfull time with no hint of violence or crime and i'd reccomend going to anyone and everyone i know

Mike
said

Best way to be safe.... stay away!For years Westerners have benefitted from cheap holidays in the sun, and dirt poor Mexicans have equally benefitted from our tourist cash.My wife and I have been to Puerto Vallarta three times. First time in '97. Last time in '07, when we got a creepy feeling the local "salesmen" were tracking our movements. Made us wonder what else they were into besides selling timeshares? Well, we don't want to find out, and we won't be returning.The Canadian Government should grow a pair, issue a formal stay away alert to Canadians, and place the Mexican Government on notice that they better get their act together.

mike
said

Some of the violence is going to Mex. City, which is the center of power there and also a target with cartels. However, it being so big, the crimes don't stand out as much

Loki2012
said

Take a closer look at Department of Foreign Affairs numbers that say 112 Canadians died in Mexico in the past 5 years - they include accidents/murders/suicides - well of those numbers we can immediately remove accidents and suicides since accidents are just that and suicides aren't the fault of Mexico. Now of the remaining, many of these Canadians had taken up residence in Mexico - therefore should not be classified as a Canadian vacationer (there is a big difference). Here are some: Daniel Dion (businessman who owned a purse factory in Mexico, Joel St. Tierre, owned and operatted an A/C factory in Mexico, Len Schell lived in Puerto Vallarta, Judith Baylis had a home outside San Miguel, Robin Wood had a home in Melaque... Simple math says 112 deaths divided by 5 years is about 22 deaths per year - subtract the accidental deaths and suicides and subtract those Canadians that have taken up residence in Mexico and own businesses there and now, lets find the number of actual Canadian vacationers that have been murdered out of the 1.6 million Canadians that went there in 2010 and I'm sure that number is much lower than what's going in our own cities in Canada right now... maybe 10 out of 1.6 million? We are only a few weeks into 2012 and already there have been murders in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary...We don't even know the story about this woman yet and already the bleeding hearts are crying "all of Mexico is unsafe"... Mexico has a population of 112 Million 22 Million tourists each year.. do the math... context is crucial for issues so easily sensationalized.Heck, we've had about 10 Canadians murdered in Canada in the past couple weeks..

Northern Princess
said

To all those who want to go to Mexico, by all means, go. Don't check the travel advisories from the government sites, don't check local areas, don't do your research in the part that you're going to, don't read newspapers, don't contact the Canadian Embassy once you're there, and don't take advice from people who know the area and certainly don't get the proper safety information at the hotel you'll be staying at.You might be safe once and maybe twice by going there, however, ensure that your family isn't surprised if your name happens to be on the obituary the next week. Don't expect that the taxpayers will bail you out either. Ensure that your family has the financial means for your hospital stay or your trip back home in a coffin.

Michelle
said

We booked our trip to Mazatlan the day before this happened...at the same resort :( We do know Mexico has ALOT of criminal activity and we said we would just stick to the resort but now...?? Good grief its just our luck!! We are still going on our trip, but are defiently going to be on our guard.

E
said

8 Million Canadians have visited mexico since 2006. 25 have been killed under suspicious circumstances. How many Canadians are killed in CANADA each year? Come on people...these are not extreme numbers.

Mick
said

Some of the comments on here are unbelievable. STAY SAFE, STAY AT HOME! Guess what people, it's a dangerous world out there. Incidents and accidents will happen. How many people have been murdered in Edmonton and Winnipeg this year. Granted there are cities in Mexico you should stay clear of, no doubt. But the vast majority of resorts are safe. The problem is people make stupid decisions, especially while drinking. I've been to Mexico many times. I've personally witnessed a young Canadian girl going off with one of the local boys she met at the bar. This was in Cancun, away from a resort. This girl is truly rolling the dice on her safety. Anyone walking alone back to the hotel is a huge target, especially if your female. What would happen to that same white girl walking drunk in the exchange district in Winnipeg late at night. Would you say she would be rolling the dice... hell yeah. If you take precautions, as you would in your home city, Mexico is safe. If you make yourself a target, your taking your chances. A large percentage of people in Mexico are poor. Some "rich" Canadian or American walking down the street, drunk, late at night, all by themselves. Guess what happens next.... Take the necessary precautions, and you won't have a problem. If your stupid, you might have a problem.

mining guy Jim
said

Antigua. Out of all of the islands I've been to in the Carribbean, it might not be the prettiest, but it's definitely the most relaxed with the least hassle and coolest people. Oh and the deep-sea fishing rocks! Sailfish to windward on the gentle days and tons of mahi mahi or barracuda to leeward on the blowing days. Who needs the hassles of Mexico?

Diane
said

Mexico used to be the best place to vacation...about 10 years ago. Why do Canadians keep going now...Mexico needs our business so if they stop hurting us, maybe we will start visiting again!! In the meantime, everyone go to CUBA!! They are so much kinder to Canadians. Stop travelling to Mexico...they are crooks and murderers...seriously why do you keep going??

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

This story is lacking an account of her husband's presence. It has been suggested that his wife may have been dragged from their room. Mexican police have indicated that he has said that he awoke at around 6 am to find her missing, and later united with her in hospital. Odd.

Dave
said

It is a sad and tragic event that happened to her. But why did she not heed the government warnings on travel to Mexico. All these comments on how safe Mexico is, are from people that want to justify a cheap and dangerous vacation. Sure you can get hurt, robbed or worse in any country, but the odds are against you in Mexico. So if you laugh at the government warnings and travel to Mexico, then get in trouble, please do not expect my sympathy or my tax dollars to assist you.

Just Saying - Ottawa
said

Scary stuff happens down there all the time yet people keep on going..boggles the mind. Hopefully this lady will get back to Canada and receive the treatment that will be badly needed.

Just Stay Away !!
said

MEXICO is a constant source of bad news for Canadians.

lynnees
said

I'm at a loss as to why Canadians continue to go to Mexico. The last time we were there, we were robbed - by cops in uniform. I'm so very sorry this has happened. No matter what the future for this lady, it is going to be bleak.I also wonder why she didn't have insurance and now they are collecting to pay for her medical expenses.Come on people - insurance insurance insurance when leaving the country.

Mark
said

I will completely avoid travel there.

susan
said

Where was the husband when she was attacked?

joe
said

this assault is tragic, but the circumstances are suspicious , what is she doing in the elevator or in another room at 3:00 in the morning while her husband was sleeping , or was he sleeping ? to break every bone in her face seems excessive, sounds like a crime of passion or extreme hate, a jealous husband , if it was a robbery they would drop her and run ........

Pinkito
said

No one said thrill seeking is 100% safe, whether it be free-style skiing or adventuring in Mexico.