Writer Alejandra Caraballo tweeted a clip from Knowles' CPAC speech, writing, "Michael Knowles is openly calling for genocide against trans people at CPAC." If you ever wondered how we get from hate speech to genocide, this is it. There is no definitive answer to this question as the level of danger varies depending on the individual and the current situation in Mexico. The fundraiser which has exceed its goal of $100,000 was set up to help Blairs family return his body to the US. Rosarito, on the other hand, is a safe and fun destination for visitors. All Rights Reserved. Earlier this week, Blairs family indicated the attorney was a victim of a brutal crime. Rosarito is not as dangerous as some other parts of Mexico, but there have been reports of crime, including violence and kidnapping, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when traveling. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The family, which has extensive legal training in criminal law, wholeheartedly believes based on their initial investigation, that Elliot was the victim of a brutal crime. Blair refused, and Williams said they continued to the resort safely to the resort. The grandfather remarked that their mission must be crucial because they normally avoid the dangers in residential areas after dark. A family is searching for answers after a Southern California public defender died in Mexico over the weekend while celebrating his first wedding anniversary, CBS Los Angeles reports. He said Blair was a devoted husband, terrific person and a fantastic lawyer who dedicated his life to serving his clients and helping the countys most vulnerable.". Reviewed July 4, 2015 . Conservative political commentator, Michael Knowles, called for the eradication of transgender people during his 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) speech, The Daily Beast reports. It is also a good idea to avoid driving at night. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state, the State Department further warns. c. Additionally, Elliot and Kim had stayed in this specific room on the third floor on multiple occasions. There is no definitive answer to this question. In their statement, the family says he "was not intoxicated at the time of this incident" and "the incident did not occur off their room's private balcony, nor any balcony, for that matter.". They are not alone in believing that Blair was killed during the trip. Previously, the attorney generals office said Blairs death appeared to be the result of an unfortunate accident from a fall by the now deceased from a third-story floor, according to its statement to the Orange County Register. The cost is $27 USD for a car with up to 4 people. According to official data analyzed by the crime monitoring website elcri.men, a homicide rate of 142.8 per 100,000 inhabitants between April and September made Playas de Rosarito, Baja. 2023 Cable News Network. "The article I read said that he died of a tragic accident and my question is what evidence do you base that conclusion on?". Neighbors of Playas denounce that they put stones and spiked wires on the stage to puncture the tires of those who travel at dawn so that they stop and thus assault them with violence. Mexican authorities had been communicating with American officials who, "from the first day have been given all the all information so that, in turn, through them, efforts can be made to inform and assist relatives of the deceased lawyer," the attorney general's statement says. 2 cars were affected. Blair's family has not heard about his death directly from local authorities; instead, they learned about what happened from a "liaison" to the local coroner's office, the lawyer's statement said. The only communication that the family has received has been through a liaison to the coroner's office. The arrest of a prominent cartel leader has prompted the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to advise American tourists to avoid Tijana, Rosarito, and Baja California due to serious safety concerns. According to the Citizens Council on Public Safety for Baja California, reports of crime are up 25% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to last year. e. The incident did not occur off their room's private balcony, nor any balcony, for that matter. They reveal that young man died at the Hotel Rosarito Beach was due to an overdose. Last month, Mexican prosecutors notified the Gutierrez family to tell them Gutierrez's DNA matched the body found next to a bullet-riddled van and with his betrothed and her two relatives. John Moore/Getty Images, State Department advisory: Do not travel. Overall, driving to Rosarito is safe if youre prepared and aware of the risks. The liaison, who is not identified in the statement, told the family that Blair died of severe head trauma and that his case had been forwarded to prosecutors for a possible homicide investigation, the statement said. One local outlet reported that Blair fell from the fourth floor of the hotel and may have been "under the influence of alcohol." Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the number of vehicles and passengers permitted to enter Mexico. Little to no investigation into the circumstances into Elliot's death was conducted by the Rosarito Beach Police Department. The grandparents set an 8 p.m. curfew for safetys sake. Little to no investigation into the circumstances into Elliot's death was conducted by the Rosarito Beach Police Department. "The family, which has extensive legal training in criminal law, wholeheartedly believes based on their initial investigation, that Elliot was the victim of a brutal crime.". The liaison also advised that as of that time, the toxicology report had not been completed. 1:53 AM EST, Fri January 20, 2023. You will also need to purchase a Mexican Tourist Visa, which can be done at the Mexican Consulate or online. The liaison said that based on the medical examiners office, Blair died from severe head trauma, but a toxicology report has not yet been completed. Drunk Driving can also land you in serious trouble, so dont drive if youve had a few drinks. Rosarito is located in the northwestern Mexican state of Baja California and is a popular tourist destination, especially for Americans. While Blairs relatives do not offer any specific evidence of a crime, they dispute his death occurred off the couples resort room balcony and say it happened outside the rooms front door in an open-air walkway, according to the statement. The incident occurred in an open-air walkway on the resort's third floor, he said. Thats in addition to more than 70,000 Mexicans reported missing in their own country during the same time period. Crime rates in Rosarito Beach are lower than the national average in Mexico, and there have been no recent reports of violence or crime directed at American tourists. He previously worked for Courthouse News Service, where he wrote both breaking news and enterprise stories ranging from criminal justice to homelessness and politics. The tourist areas near the beach are generally safe, but it is always best to be aware of your surroundings and not to flash any valuables around. They are not alone in believing that Blair was killed during the trip. An Orange County deputy public defender was slain Saturday morning, Jan. 14, in Mexico, during a personal trip, Public Defender Martin Schwarz confirmed. While the drive itself is relatively safe, there are a few things you should know before making the trip. There is no doubt that the route taxi is the most economical method of transportation, but unless you have a large enough group, you might find yourself in unfavorable company. As they were getting into the family vehicle, witnesses reported hearing screams as a group of men grabbed them. Elliot was not intoxicated at the time of this incident, the family said, adding they told the coroners liaison theyll hire a private firm to conduct an independent investigation, including toxicology. Elliot Blair, 33, died Saturday outside his hotel room at Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito Beach, roughly 32 miles south of San Diego, the lawyer, David Scarsone, said in a statement. "Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.". Playas de Rosarito.-. We encourage travelers to read the entire advisory. Kim was his life. In one video, a bewildered Russian family is ordered out of their rideshare as drivers argue over them and police try to stop fistfights and prevent guns from being drawn. We publish alerts to the U.S. Embassy Mexico webpage.. Elliot Blair, right, was found dead at a hotel and spa near Rosarito, Mexico on Saturday, Jan. 14 after an apparent fall from a balcony, local police said. Masthead | As tensions continue to rise between the United States and Mexico, many Americans are wondering if it is still safe to travel to our southern neighbor. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has issued a travel alert for Tijuana and Rosarito because of possible fighting between criminal groups and Mexican security forces. In a statement provided Wednesday to NBC News by the resort's public relations firm, the attorney general of Baja California said an investigation showed Blair appeared to have fallen from the third floor shortly before 1 a.m. Travel blogger Chrissy Kaprolos recently stayed with her boyfriends grandparents in their middle-class home near the luxury beachfront hotels. Published h. Elliot was found in his underwear, his sleeping tee shirt, and socks. The only real facts that are known are this: a. Elliot and Kim had stayed at Las Rocas Resort and Spa on multiple occasions in the past 5 years. Tijuana, too, is relatively safe, but it is important to practice caution when traveling there. Youll want to take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. In contrast, crime is a big problem in Rosarito, just like it is in any other city. A funeral home liaison also made the same suggestion, but Blairs family insists that his body be preserved so it can conduct a thorough, independent investigation. There are not enough words to express the level of love he had for Kim. Manage Preferences "News clippings dont always capture the frequency of missing persons, whereas locals sometimes hear of incidents solely through social media," she wrote. Elliot was a loving husband, son and brother. Earlier in his career, he worked for Eastsider L.A. Elliot Blair with his wife, Kim. "Elliots smile was radiant and warmed the hearts of every person he came in contact with. e. The incident did not occur off their room's private balcony, nor any balcony, for that matter. Elliot Blair, 33, died at his hotel in Rosarito, Baja Mexico on Saturday. One local outlet reported that Blair fell from the fourth floor of the hotel and may have been "under the influence of alcohol." IE 11 is not supported. Mexican journalists are routinely murdered for reporting on crime, which makes documenting murders a dangerous challenge. Gutierrez flew from Cincinnati to Zacatecas, a city known for its beautiful historic downtown, ancient silver mine and nearby wineries. Critics slammed Donald Trump's speech at CPAC Saturday as riddled with lies and outrageous, inflated boasts, and marked by a depressing characterization of American life without him in the White House. The family, which has extensive legal training in criminal law, wholeheartedly believes based on their initial investigation that Elliot was the victim of a brutal crime, the statement said. Yellow cabs are a safer option for you because you dont have to share a car with strangers. The level of violence in Mexico has increased in recent years, particularly in areas along the US-Mexico border, and travelers should exercise caution when visiting. The circumstances surrounding Blair's death still remain unclear, as Mexican authorities have yet to disclose many details to this point. Marlene Lenthang is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Index Rosarito Mexico City; Crime Index: 54.58: 68.16: Safety Scale: 45.42: 31.84: Rosarito Mexico City; Improve Data : Improve Data : Level of crime: High 65.62: High 78.09: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: The U.S. embassy and consulates abroad also issue alerts to notify U.S. citizens of specific events and changes happening locally in real time, she said. The majority of tourists are safe in Rosarito. U.S. embassies and consulates abroad also issue alerts to notify U.S. citizens of specific events and changes happening locally in real time. Objectives of these actions: Eliminate violent crime on the highway.- Reduce crime in the area.- Reduce the response times of corporations to crimes and emergencies.- Process and obtain convictions of the criminals who are committing these crimes.- Improve the perception of safety of the residents of the area. John Gress/Corbis via Getty Images, State Department advisory: Reconsider travel. The residents of the area who have been victims of these events have not been denounced because they want to avoid the long lines that are made, but they will seek to do so electronically with an application (App) that the Central Prosecutor made known to them in a meeting. State Department advisory: Exercise increased caution. Posted by mx-rider on April 30, 2022 at 12:49 pm. Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images. Rosarito, in the northern part of Baja California near Tijuana, offers a wide variety of activities for tourists who enjoy the warm weather. "The family, which has extensive legal training in criminal law, wholeheartedly believes based on their initial investigation, that Elliot was the victim of a brutal crime.". Las Rocas Resort & Spa Rosarito is seen in this aerial image. Read the Blair family's full statement here: "The family of Elliot Blair is absolutely reeling from the tragic death of this amazing young man who was in Rosarito Beach celebrating his first wedding anniversary. Orange County Public Defender Martin Schwarz told The Register that Blair had worked for the public defenders office since 2017, the year he passed the bar exam. He was found dead last Saturday on the property near the area of the stairs that lead to the parking lot, Mexican authorities said. Yesterday, during a conversation with the funeral home liaison, it was again suggested he be cremated and the family insisted his body not be cremated in order to conduct a thorough, complete, independent investigation. 2023 Tour By Mexico. The officer told me if an emergency happens to call the National Highway Guard headquarters directly. The family of an American tourist found dead in Mexico said Tuesday that they believe he "was the . Al Sharptons old presidential campaign agreed to pay the government $21,250. The case was forwarded to the district attorneys office for a possible homicide investigation, according to the statement. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, O.C. "We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance," the department said in a statement Wednesday. Theft, robbery, and car theft are some of the most common crimes committed against tourists. Two Mexican nationals, a 32-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man identified only as Fanny "N" and Santos "N," were arrested Thursday night on a highway near Rosarito Beach, south of Tijuana,. The drive is about an hour and a half from the US-Mexico border. Elliot Blair, 33, died from severe head trauma, suffering injuries consistent with a fall from a height, ruling out traces of violence in the body of the lawyer produced by a firearm or sharp instrument, according to the attorney generals office in the Mexican state of Baja California. Blairs family hired a biomechanics and injury expert, Dr. Rami Hashish, to examine Blairs body. Elliot Blairs family disputes the Mexican authorities report and will conduct a separate investigation into his death in Rosarito. At least 19 vehicles were set on fire this Friday afternoon in five cities in northern Mexico -Mexicali, Ensenada, Tecate, Rosarito, and Tijuana-, without so far having information that allows knowing which organized crime group executed actions simultaneously. All will be checked now! But Blairs body was embalmed without the familys permission, making a routine toxicology report impossible. A Comprehensive Analysis Of Security Measures And Infrastructure. We encourage travelers to read the entire advisory. Elliot Blair, an Orange County public defender, died Saturday. The advisories and alerts include cruise ship favorites Mazatln, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. You should stop your vehicle if you are concerned that you are in danger. Family of Blair said they believed. A Warner Bros. But its hardly the only place in Mexico. Elliot had an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Rosarito is not as dangerous as some other parts of Mexico, but there have been reports of crime, including violence and kidnapping, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when traveling. The Blair family maintains that there was foul play involved, stating that no one from the Rosarito Beach Police Department or the Mexican government has reached out to speak to them. As his family works with the United States officials to learn more, Tijuana-based media has reported that the Baja California Prosecutor's Office ruled that Blair died of head trauma from falling off his hotel balcony. Those who have lived in Rosarito for a long time have a higher crime rate than others. The crimes are not typically committed by tourists on the weekends or during the day. If youre going to Rosarito, its a good idea to take the necessary precautions, such as avoiding areas where theres a high risk of violence. The town of Rosarito in Mexico is a popular tourist destination for those looking for a sun-drenched vacation. The head of the restaurants, bars and club owners guild was murdered in front of his nightclub in a heavily policed neighborhood. Elliot's smile was radiant and warmed the hearts of every person he came in contact with. Throughout this entire process, it has been suggested by the Mexican authorities that Elliot's body be cremated. Since 2016, there has been a decrease in robberies and assaults, despite the fact that homicides have increased. Especially since that indulgence requires taking away the rights and customs of so many people. The U.S. Embassy Mexico webpage posted travel alerts as recent as January 23, which warned about U.S. citizens being injured by violence between taxi cab drivers and Uber and Cabify drivers in Quintana Roo, a state that includes Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. Rape has been reported to police in Rosarito. appreciated. It is recommended that travelers only travel during daylight hours, according to the United States State Department. "I personally don't put a lot of credence in what the Mexican authorities say," John Jenks, private investigator and business partner of Blair's, told CBS Los Angeles. The attorney general of Baja California said in a statement that the autopsy showed Elliot Blair's injuries were likely from a fall and not an act of violence. The incident occurred in an open-air walkway located outside the front door of their room at Las Rocas Resort and Spa. Elliot had an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life. A Comprehensive Analysis Of Security Measures And Infrastructure. Elliots smile was radiant and warmed the hearts of every person he came in contact with. It is important to do your own research and make an informed decision before driving into any unfamiliar territory. Second, youll need to be aware of the traffic laws in Mexico. Calling 9-11 is longer for federal highway . Hotels with self-contained units are very common, having been in existence for a long time. Forget about the Traffic Light entering Mexico. Blair was found in his underwear and socks and a sleeping T-shirt outside a room where he and his wife and had stayed in the past, the lawyers statement said. Maybe Fox should dump its sophisticated "election prediction apparatus" for an old-fashioned, slower system, or base calls on what viewers want to hear, they said, according to the Times. Blair died Saturday in Rosarito, Mexico, while celebrating his first wedding anniversary. The family, which has extensive legal training in criminal law, wholeheartedly believes based on their initial investigation, that Elliot was the victim of a brutal crime, its statement reads. Elliot Blair was found dead while on vacation in Mexico. The family also said they told a coroners liaison theyll hire a private firm to conduct an independent investigation that includes toxicology. If youre planning on driving your car to Rosarito, Mexico, youll want to be aware of the risks involved. Yesterday, January 16, at approximately 2:00 pm the liaison indicated that he had been in direct contact with the medical examiner's office that performed an autopsy. Drive slowly and use headlights as necessary in order to avoid accidents. Elliot Blair was found dead January 14, 2023, while on vacation in Mexico. Scarsone did not immediately respond to a request Wednesday night for comment about the statement. All Rights Reserved. Elliot was a loving husband, son, and brother. Bill Sammon, the Fox News executive who oversaw the networks' election "decision desk," and was instrumental in determining to call the victory for Biden, retired soon after the election in early 2021 because of the heat he got from inside Fox, The Washington Post reported. "He was the victim of a brutal crime," says a GoFundMe set up for Blair's wife, Kim, who is also a public defender. Nathan Solis is a Metro reporter covering breaking news at the Los Angeles Times. This is how pogroms start.". Heres what you should know about the current state of some of the most popular Spring Break destinations in Mexico: Police agents search a man for illegal contraband during a drug sweep in Colonia Chula Vista December 14, 2006 in Tijuana, Mexico. Elliot's tragic, untimely, and suspicious death has left his family and community with a huge hole in their hearts that will never be repaired. Back in August 2020, veteran San Diego firefighter Francisco Aguilar vanished from his beloved Rosarito beach house near Tijuana. Rosarito Beach is located in Baja California, and while the beach town itself has not seen the same level of violence as other parts of the state, it is located just a short drive from areas that have been affected. Depending on where you are going, you will have to take one of two types of Mexican taxis. Speaking out for the first time, wife of California lawyer who died in Mexico recalls his final hours. The State Department doesnt track how many Americans have been killed, assaulted or otherwise victimized by criminals in Mexico. In those areas, there is now a level three threat to safety and security. Is Rosarito Mexico expensive? Travel should be suspended in Baja California due to high levels of violent crime and gang activity. A Warner Bros. . General crime and kidnapping also remain a concern, and the State Department is urging travelers to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.. f . While its generally safe, there is a higher rate of crime than in the United States. If you live on the American side of the border, you should leave your vehicles and avoid walking in areas where you are more likely to be tailed by criminals. Family Of California Lawyer Who Had Fatal Fall At Mexico Resort Believes He Was 'Brutal Crime' Victim. But they were stopped by local police who claimed that Blair rolled through a stop sign. And there were the stones on both sides of the road. "I personally don't put a lot of credence in what the Mexican authorities say," John Jenks, private investigator and business partner of Blair's, told CBS Los Angeles. In addition, it is highly unfortunate that throughout this entire devastating ordeal, Kim, his loving wife, has been given multiple versions of what happened to Elliot. The Mexican state of Baja California has seen an increase in violence in recent years, and the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning for the region. Elliot was a brilliant attorney with a bright future. However, it is important to use common sense and take precautions when traveling anywhere. U.S. officials have issued travel advisories or alerts for every Mexican state except the Yucatn and Campeche. His family says the Orange County lawyer was killed, contrary to what Mexican officials have claimed thus far. But visitors are drawn to Rosarito Beach, a pretty Tijuana enclave 10 . Orange County Deputy Public Defender Elliot Blair, 33, was celebrating his first wedding anniversary at Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito Beach with his wife, Kim, when he died.