MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Three American families are searching for answers after their adult children were found dead in an Airbnb while attending Mexico City’s annual Day of the Dead celebration.
According to WAVY-TV, the Virginia Beach families of Jordan Marshall, 28, and Kandace Florence have been in contact with the U.S. Embassy, working to get their bodies home and learn what led to the tragic outcome.
The longtime friends were vacationing in Mexico City with Marshall’s friend, Courtez Hall of New Orleans, the TV station reported.
“To lose your child is one thing, but in a whole other country and having to maneuver language barriers and travel and trying to get his body home, it’s been a lot,” Marshall’s mother, Jennifer Marshall, told WAVY.
A statement from a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of State, obtained by WTKR, read as follows: “We can confirm the death of three U.S. citizens in Mexico. We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death.”
The Marshalls confirmed to the TV station that Jordan’s body has been returned to Virginia, while the Florences said they will be holding a candlelight vigil instead of a 29th birthday party for Kandace on Thursday as they wait for her remains to arrive.
According to WAVY, Florence’s boyfriend was on the phone with her Oct. 30 when she started feeling ill and told him something was not right. After their call was disconnected, the boyfriend called the Airbnb host, requesting a welfare check, and authorities found Florence, Marshall and Hall dead.
The causes of death for all three victims remain under investigation.