Pirates kill Texas man? What do you think?

[VickiVM]

Apparently Mexico DID invite the U.S. over to help in the search but the U.S. declined saying it was just too dangerous to enter the Mexican waters and they were afraid of a gun fight and wanted to avoid an "international incident." THis was on the interview this morning on the Today show. They were talking to the police chief of the town in Texas (can't remember the name of the town). Unless I misunderstood the interview that is what was said.

Yes, that is what the Zapate Co. Sheriff said.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/39533190#39533190

He also revealed that there is a corraborative witness who does not know the couple. There is supposed to be a search team today on the Mexican side of the lake.

I personally could not make a judgment one way or another, but it's possible there is a reasonable explanation for all of the strange circumstances.

Pirates are not known for their intelligence - perhaps they thought they could steal her jet ski and kidnap her for ransom or just for their own folly. That may be why they didn't kill her, but chased her instead.

Anyone in South Texas knows that our southern border towns - both here and particularly in Mexico - are not safe, with this lake already reporting other incidences of violence.

She's doing what I would be doing if the Mexican government were not supportive...talking to the press. Mexico is not a responsive government, even to their own citizens.

 

[VickiVM]

I did hear the call/interview of the witness and I have to say he sounds like thousands of other Hispanic Texans. I didn't notice anything odd about the accent. In fact, he sounded suspiciously like my neighbor 2 houses down. That neighbor was born and mostly raised in Mexico, but spent about half his childhoood in the US with relatives and has lived in the US since adulthood, even being in the US Army. There are various accents and that's just one of them. As for not not wanting his face shown.....No one in his right mind would want his face shown or his ID given if he believes this story to be true. He might as well go ahead and pre-plan his funeral and pay up the life insurance policy.

Still haven't had time to assess the wife. Sorry, but I'm busy planning a party. But let me make it clear that it would be in the best interest of Mexican law enforcement to NEVER identify any shooters or even find a body. They do not want an international incident. It's bad enough that the body count from the drug cartels on the Mexican side of the border is staggering, but most Americans don't really hear about it and aren't that upset about it. (Just those of us on the border who are scared because we hear about it all the time.) But this incident, if true, would bring all sorts of unwanted attention to the fact that Mexico is helpless against the cartels. It would be an embarrassment all the way up to the Mexican president's office. And that's just the PR angle.

There's a good chance at least some of local law enforcement are on the paytroll of the cartels. Good heavens, at the end of August 1/10 of Mexico's FEDERAL police force was fired for "not doing their work or for corruption." Translation: Tied to cartels. Can you imagine if 1/10 of our federal agents were fired in one day for corruption? And if Mexican law enforcement isn't being paid off, they still don't want to point the finger at the cartels because the finger that points back will probably be holding an AK47. Police are regularly murdered down there, and not in the line of duty. BTW, "kidnapping" doesn't work the way we tend to think of it. If someone is actually taken, the chances of ever seeing them alive are slim and none....closer to none.

I did catch the US side local police chief. (?) He essentially said that there was no way they were going to take their lives in their hands and cross over the border to investigate this. It was too dangerous and he feared a gun battle. No duh. Smart guy.

All I am trying to say to those who cannot fathom why a police force would cast doubt on someone's story unless they truly doubted that story is.......Because they prefer to stay alive another day. If they weigh their own lives and that of their wives, children, parents, etc. against that of an American tourist, it's not hard to see why it would be in their best interest to make the wife look less than credible.

If the wife did do in her DH, then she may be one smart cookie because she has a better grasp of the politics than most. The Mexicans will cast doubt and never search in earnest (or at least delay as long as possible) for fear of actually finding evidence a cartel was responsible. If that happened, they'd be in a real bind. The US government will never call the Mexicans on it because goodness knows we can't offend them. The US can't really send our own people to investigate because it's MEXICO and even if we could, they don't want to go because the risk of death is too dang high. Basically, too many people who have power and matter just want this story to GO AWAY. By any means necessary.

Exactly.

 

[VickiVM]

During yesterday's interview, she kept doing this weird thing with her lip...can't explain it, you'll have to look for the video (the interview she did on the Today show with the family). Something about that maneuver just looked FAKE to me.

Also, if they shot the guy and stole his jet ski, why not shoot her and take the other jet ski too? Why leave a witness??

Makes no sense.

I'm a "lip-fidgeter" -it's how I hold back tears and deal w/raw emotion...anger, extreme stress.

The darting eyes may be more meaningful if we knew there was nothing on the other side of the camera distracting her.

Also, is she's not, then she should be in fear for her life. I'm sure that has crossed her mind, or at least for her family.

 

[dodukes]

Yes, that is what the Zapate Co. Sheriff said.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/39533190#39533190

He also revealed that there is a corraborative witness who does not know the couple. There is supposed to be a search team today on the Mexican side of the lake.

I personally could not make a judgment one way or another, but it's possible there is a reasonable explanation for all of the strange circumstances.

Pirates are not known for their intelligence - perhaps they thought they could steal her jet ski and kidnap her for ransom or just for their own folly. That may be why they didn't kill her, but chased her instead.

Anyone in South Texas knows that our southern border towns - both here and particularly in Mexico - are not safe, with this lake already reporting other incidences of violence.

She's doing what I would be doing if the Mexican government were not supportive...talking to the press. Mexico is not a responsive government, even to their own citizens.

OT question here: So you mean to tell me that theres a lake and one one side there house that are "american" and the other there are house that are "mexican"? How big is this lake? What would happen if you are hanging out of your backyard and you paddle into the "wrong country"
just curious since I do not know the area to which this refers...are there more than one location like this? I mean is the border line literally in the middle of the lake?

 

[Acklander]

OT question here: So you mean to tell me that theres a lake and one one side there house that are "american" and the other there are house that are "mexican"? How big is this lake? What would happen if you are hanging out of your backyard and you paddle into the "wrong country"
just curious since I do not know the area to which this refers...are there more than one location like this? I mean is the border line literally in the middle of the lake?

Yes, on the news they showed where the dividing line was and explained that there are markers along the way so you can tell which country you are in.

 

[dodukes]

Yes, on the news they showed where the dividing line was and explained that there are markers along the way so you can tell which country you are in.

ok sorry I havent really kept up with the news. But i guess thats fine then. I had no idea, altho I dont think i would buy a house there....


eta: I live in florida so i dont have these issues. Only cuba 90 miles south...lol

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I don't know what to think about this case. I do think that some people, including reporters, are reading things into a lot of the "facts"...like over-judging how the wife speaks, or looks during interviews, or details about her story. Everything had to have happened pretty fast and it was very traumatic (assuming the story IS true)...I can't imagine having to recall exact details. I would hate to have to recall a crime and be responsible for all the details.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out though. I like to watch true crime shows, and it's amazing the people (who look like sweet young wives, or successful professionals, etc) who do commit bizarre crimes.

 

[zalansky]

I forget who mentioned that the couple could have somehow been involved in drugs, transporting drugs, etc. That actually makes a lot of sense. That would also explain why they crossed the border and knowingly went into dangerous waters that Americans had been warned to stay out of. I just don't buy the history buff story. The only thing that continues to not make sense is why the pirates (or whatever you call them) kill her husband, chase her down, then let her go. Because they suddenly grew a heart? I just don't know.

 

[EMom]

OT question here: So you mean to tell me that theres a lake and one one side there house that are "american" and the other there are house that are "mexican"? How big is this lake? What would happen if you are hanging out of your backyard and you paddle into the "wrong country"
just curious since I do not know the area to which this refers...are there more than one location like this? I mean is the border line literally in the middle of the lake?

Yes, that's it. It's a reservoir and straddles the border. Pretty good size. When they made the reservoir, they flooded at town (at least one) and people go to see what's left of the town, including a church, now submerged underwater. Apparently, it is.....or was......a fairly popular attraction. Checked wikipedia and the lake is almost 84,000 acres in size. The only way to tell you're crossing the border is that every once in a while, they have buoys. But the couple knew the church was on the Mexico side.

Look, everyone who lives anywhere NEAR the border knows it can be dangerous to cross over. I think people feel less threatened having fun on a lake as opposed to going to a border town. And in fairness, Americans are targeted much less often than Mexicans. They seem to have been an adventurous couple.....maybe they were risk-takers. Maybe they thought, "Who would bother with 2 people on jet skis?" Myself, I wouldn't cross the border for a million bucks. Heck, my Mexican friends hardly go back home to visit family. Too dangerous for them.

I don't think they were involved in drug running themselves. The Zetas don't exactly need to farm out to indy dealers. They have quite a network. That's what this whole thing is all about in Mexico. The cartels are fighting among themselves to establish dominance. Being the scariest, killing-est, most merciless, etc. Each one is trying to out-bad the other. Hence the decapitated bodies, heads left in coolers at city hall and on the side of the road, mass killings at drug rehab centers, mutilated bodies left hanging to send a message and so many charming activities. But they do try their best to keep it on the Mexican side.....

And if indeed they did this murder, they have sent a message. And every time the wife tells the story, people near that lake (including law enforcement) get the message loud and clear. A lake that used to be enjoyed by many Americans for recreation is now the property of the Zetas, to be used for drug running. And they do not want interference. Back when the US and Mexico built that reservoir, they had no idea it might someday be the defacto personal property of a drug cartel. Talk about unintended consequences.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Look, everyone who lives anywhere NEAR the border knows it can be dangerous to cross over. I think people feel less threatened having fun on a lake as opposed to going to a border town. And in fairness, Americans are targeted much less often than Mexicans. They seem to have been an adventurous couple.....maybe they were risk-takers. Maybe they thought, "Who would bother with 2 people on jet skis?" Myself, I wouldn't cross the border for a million bucks. Heck, my Mexican friends hardly go back home to visit family. Too dangerous for them.

I don't think they were involved in drug running themselves. The Zetas don't exactly need to farm out to indy dealers. They have quite a network. That's what this whole thing is all about in Mexico. The cartels are fighting among themselves to establish dominance. Being the scariest, killing-est, most merciless, etc. Each one is trying to out-bad the other. Hence the decapitated bodies, heads left in coolers at city hall and on the side of the road, mass killings at drug rehab centers, mutilated bodies left hanging to send a message and so many charming activities. But they do try their best to keep it on the Mexican side.....

And if indeed they did this murder, they have sent a message. And every time the wife tells the story, people near that lake (including law enforcement) get the message loud and clear. A lake that used to be enjoyed by many Americans for recreation is now the property of the Zetas, to be used for drug running. And they do not want interference. Back when the US and Mexico built that reservoir, they had no idea it might someday be the defacto personal property of a drug cartel. Talk about unintended consequences.

A good reason to kill the husband and let the wife live.

This morning on the Today Show, they interviewed a US law enforcement official (I was half watching...not sure exactly what he was) and he said that the Mexican government offered to allow American law enforcement to get involved in the search for the body, and they've declined. He said that it was too dangerous, and that if any American law enforcement were killed in the process, it would be an international incident. And I'm betting the Mexican government isn't too keen on conducting a search either.

Are the usual Mexican vacation destinations safe??

 

[TLHB70]

I forget who mentioned that the couple could have somehow been involved in drugs, transporting drugs, etc. That actually makes a lot of sense. That would also explain why they crossed the border and knowingly went into dangerous waters that Americans had been warned to stay out of. I just don't buy the history buff story. The only thing that continues to not make sense is why the pirates (or whatever you call them) kill her husband, chase her down, then let her go. Because they suddenly grew a heart? I just don't know.

Hmmm.....that could be it.
The news link posted from the Today show this morning showed a clip from the memorial service, and some young lady was speaking at the podium. She did say he "liked the finer things in life."
Maybe they left her so that she would be left to providem them money that was still needed/owed, etc.

 

[EMom]

Really, there are two aspects to this story and one of them disturbs me greatly.

1. Did the drug cartel kill the husband or did the wife? Oddly, it is not people questioning that which I find disturbing.

2. Could such a thing even happen? The attitude some seem to have regarding THAT is what I find disturbing.

If you in any way doubt something like this COULD happen or that Mexican law enforcement would be less than.....energetic.....in their pursuit of justice, or that they would hesitate to cast doubt on someone's story so as to avoid having to investigate a drug cartel, then you are woefully ignorant of what is happening on our southern border and downright naive.

Now that doesn't mean it did happen that way, but I promise you the gist of the story is totally within the realm of possibility. It worries me no end that so many people dismiss out of hand the very notion that "pirates" (drug cartels) could or would do something like this......Something senseless, less than logical to our minds, etc. It astounds me that people don't collectively roll their eyes when the Mexican law enforcement expresses skepticism, knowing that the crime could have been committed right in front of them and they'd still feign ignorance in order to save their own skins. If people in the US truly wrapped their head around what is going on in Mexico, they would be scared senseless to have it right next door.

Sadly, I am afraid that until the violence spills over full force into the US, we will not take it seriously. By then, we'll be at their mercy just as Mexcio is now. The cartels have more or less crippled Mexican law enforcement, all the way up to the federal level. That reality is beyond the comprehension of most Americans, it would seem.

 

[Darcy03231]

A good reason to kill the husband and let the wife live.

This morning on the Today Show, they interviewed a US law enforcement official (I was half watching...not sure exactly what he was) and he said that the Mexican government offered to allow American law enforcement to get involved in the search for the body, and they've declined. He said that it was too dangerous, and that if any American law enforcement were killed in the process, it would be an international incident. And I'm betting the Mexican government isn't too keen on conducting a search either.

Are the usual Mexican vacation destinations safe??

We usually travel to Mexico at least once a year and have for the last 20+ years. We've made lots of friends in our travels. Since last year they've all advised us to stay home. What we hear about in the news is just the tip of the iceberg and the violence isn't limited to just the border towns.

My sister's company had people in Mexico and they've pulled them and their families all out.

I'd be very cautious about traveling to Mexico now. About the only way I'd consider doing it is to go to an all inclusive resort and stay there for the duration of the trip. Its a real shame because Mexico is a beautiful country with wonderful people/culture.

 

[rie'smom]

We usually travel to Mexico at least once a year and have for the last 20+ years. We've made lots of friends in our travels. Since last year they've all advised us to stay home. What we hear about in the news is just the tip of the iceberg and the violence isn't limited to just the border towns.

My sister's company had people in Mexico and they've pulled them and their families all out.

I'd be very cautious about traveling to Mexico now. About the only way I'd consider doing it is to go to an all inclusive resort and stay there for the duration of the trip. Its a real shame because Mexico is a beautiful country with wonderful people/culture.

Our schools have been taking annual trips to Mexico for 40 years and since 2009, they've been discontinued due to the drug cartel violence. The TAs on the Mexico end have advised our school TAs that it is not safe. This was done on the QT because they fear repurcussions.

 

[Hillbeans]

Z, I was wondering the same thing as you - when I first heard the story I was shocked but when she told that story on the Today show it just sounded so far fetched. I really hope they get to the bottom of this, and justice is served.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

That would be my first thought considering the number of Mexican mayors and law enforcement officers who have been murdered for trying to enforce the law.

I know! I think the news said that 11 mayors have been murdered this year! That country is crazy dangerous. And, because it is, it would be very easy to capitalize on the danger by setting up her husband to be killed. If the police are questioning, they know something is up.

Remember with Susan Smith, how the media played out the story, but the police knew very quickly that she was involved. I think her first statement to the police said she was stopped at a stop light with no other cars at the intersection and someone behind her hijacked the car. The police knew instantly this was a lie because the light was always green unless triggered to turn red by a car on the right or left.
Same thing with acid girl. The whole wearing sunglasses at night thing was too suspicious to ignore.

Yes, this woman is innocent until proven otherwise. And I hope we are all wrong. But my gut tells me we aren't.

 

[EMom]

Just this week, a UT Brownsville student was murdered while taking a bus in Mexico to visit relatives. Odds are, if an American citizen hadn't been killed in this cartel attack, we would never had heard of it.

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=521966

We used to go to Mexico almost every year, but no more. Not worth the very real risk. When even the wealthy people from gated communities are fleeing in droves, I don't need to go there.

 

[PaulaSB12]

This is what the uk foreign office is saying about travel to Mexico

We advise against all but essential travel to Ciudad Juarez, where there is a high level of drug-related violence and criminal activity. British nationals should also be aware there has also been a recent increase in violent incidents in the northern states of Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, including in and around the border areas of Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Tampico - you should exercise caution in these areas. See the Crime and State-specific guidance sections of this travel advice.

 

[Tinker74]

Isnt it the border towns where the crime is?...My Ds17 spent 6 weeks this summer working in Mexico city at the embassy.he travelled with mY BIL and his family to the Pacific side beach resorts also. Although I have to admit Iam soooo glad he is now safely back!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Really, there are two aspects to this story and one of them disturbs me greatly.

1. Did the drug cartel kill the husband or did the wife? Oddly, it is not people questioning that which I find disturbing.

2. Could such a thing even happen? The attitude some seem to have regarding THAT is what I find disturbing.

If you in any way doubt something like this COULD happen or that Mexican law enforcement would be less than.....energetic.....in their pursuit of justice, or that they would hesitate to cast doubt on someone's story so as to avoid having to investigate a drug cartel, then you are woefully ignorant of what is happening on our southern border and downright naive.

Now that doesn't mean it did happen that way, but I promise you the gist of the story is totally within the realm of possibility. It worries me no end that so many people dismiss out of hand the very notion that "pirates" (drug cartels) could or would do something like this......Something senseless, less than logical to our minds, etc. It astounds me that people don't collectively roll their eyes when the Mexican law enforcement expresses skepticism, knowing that the crime could have been committed right in front of them and they'd still feign ignorance in order to save their own skins. If people in the US truly wrapped their head around what is going on in Mexico, they would be scared senseless to have it right next door.

Sadly, I am afraid that until the violence spills over full force into the US, we will not take it seriously. By then, we'll be at their mercy just as Mexcio is now. The cartels have more or less crippled Mexican law enforcement, all the way up to the federal level. That reality is beyond the comprehension of most Americans, it would seem.

An excellent post.

We usually travel to Mexico at least once a year and have for the last 20+ years. We've made lots of friends in our travels. Since last year they've all advised us to stay home. What we hear about in the news is just the tip of the iceberg and the violence isn't limited to just the border towns.

My sister's company had people in Mexico and they've pulled them and their families all out.

I'd be very cautious about traveling to Mexico now. About the only way I'd consider doing it is to go to an all inclusive resort and stay there for the duration of the trip. Its a real shame because Mexico is a beautiful country with wonderful people/culture.

How about Cancun? I don't think I'd trust anywhere there now. My DD(22) is working as a nanny and the family is considering a Christmas trip to Cancun and taking her.