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Another American Citizen Killed While Visiting Mexico

Nov. 17, 2018
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3 min read
MEXICO-CRIME-VIOLENCE
Another American Citizen Killed While Visiting Mexico
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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."

Patrick Braxton-Andrew (via Facebook)

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.

Map of homicides involving US citizens in Mexico (Image from The Houston Chronicle)

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.

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H/T: The Washington Post

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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