Blair’s wife was able to survive, although the nature of the crime was not specified.
Photo: Ulises Ruiz/AFP/Getty Images
A California public defender was found dead under mysterious circumstances while visiting Mexico with his wife to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.the reports indicated.
The death of 33-year-old officer Elliot Blair was confirmed to Fox 11 Los Angeles by the Organge County Public Defender’s Office.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy,” the office said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to Elliot’s family and everyone who knew and loved him at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office.”
Blair was in the town of Rosarito, about 30 minutes south of Tijuana, celebrating their wedding anniversary when he was “tragically murdered” on Jan. 14, according to the family’s GoFundMe page, which is searching for answers.
“I wish we could provide more information to everyone, but the authorities in Mexico have released very limited information,” lamented fundraiser organizer Annie Rodríguez. “He was the victim of a brutal crime. His family is working with US officials to gather more information.”
Blair had worked for the Public Defender’s Office since 2017 after passing the entrance exam, as did his wife, who joined the same year.
Blair’s wife survived the attack although it was not clear what type of crime it was. According to reports, it was a premeditated murder.
Blair’s relatives said they hadn’t received much information from Mexican authorities as of Saturday afternoon, Orange County Public Defender Martin Schwarz told The Orange County Register.
That was the finding of the Mexican website Patrulla 646 Blair, apparently intoxicated, fell from the fourth floor of Hotel Las Rocas, a sea-view resort.
Paramedics went to the scene. According to a report, employees of the Attorney General of the State of Mexico took over the investigation and the removal of the body.
Blair worked crime cases from the Organte County Public Defender’s Santa Ana office, said Schwarz, who recalled the victim as a “Devoted husband, a great person and a fantastic attorney who has dedicated his life to serving his clients and helping those most vulnerable in the county.”
“He impacted countless lives and his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him,” Schwarz said. “We have been in touch with the family and are doing everything we can to support them through this difficult time, including working with local and federal officials to find answers.”
With information from Fox News
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