Another American Citizen Killed While Visiting Mexico
Patrick Braxton-Andrew, a North Carolina native, was confirmed to have been killed by a Mexican cartel member while in a remote part of the country last month. The news comes weeks after Braxton-Andrew went missing while visiting the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Braxton-Andrew was traveling to visit his brother in Mexico City after a short trip to a popular point of interest, Copper Canyon, in Chihuahua. Mexican officials believe that it was in the remote area surrounding Copper Canyon that Braxton-Andrew was murdered. Braxton-Andrew's death is part of a startling trend in increased violence against tourists visiting Mexico.
Braxton-Andrew was a Spanish teacher living in North Carolina. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Braxton-Andrew loved to travel. In a statement on Facebook, Braxton-Andrew's family said the following, "Patrick died doing what he loved — traveling and meeting people. Join us in celebrating his life as he would want us to do. We will always remember Patrick and his joy for life. We love you PBA."
Braxton-Andrew was first reported missing by his family when he did not show up in Mexico City to connect with his brother. Mexican officials searched for weeks for the missing US citizen and determined that he had been executed by cartel narcotrafficker José Noriel Portilo Gil, aka "El Chueco", a prominent member of the Sinaloa cartel, which is based in the state of Sinaloa just south of Copper Canyon. Now, the family has stated that they will continue to search for the body of their loved one.
While the governor of Chihuahua issued a statement saying, "not only are we going to find Patrick's body, but we are going to do him justice and deliver exemplary punishment to this delinquent and his gang", Braxton-Andrew death is just one of 75 confirmed annual homicides involving US citizens. Many of these murders have gone unsolved.
This year, a series of grisly slayings in the popular resort town of Cancun promoted renewed travel advisories urging US citizens to take extreme caution while traveling in Mexico, regardless of what state they plan to visit. Just days ago, a local CBS affiliate confirmed that a Hermosa Beach resident vacationing in Playa del Carmen, near Cancun, was killed over "shoes, wallet, and some pocket change".
The US Department of State has issued a travel advisory instructing American's traveling to Mexico to "exercise increased caution." The Department of State has even increased the advisory level to "Do Not Travel" for 5 especially dangerous Mexican states.
H/T: The Washington Post
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app