Crime & Safety

Resort Where OC Couple Was Found Dead Closed Temporarily

A luxury hotel in Mexico has temporarily suspended normal operations after two Orange County residents were found dead in their room.

BAJA CALIFORNIA — The luxury resort where a south Orange County couple was found dead on June 13 has been temporarily closed, ABC news reported.

The Rancho Pescadero Hotel, a Hyatt property, was closed June 18 so a third-party investigation can take place, according to the report.

One of the individuals was identified as 28-year-old Abby Lutz from Newport Beach, and the second was identified as John Heathco, 41, according to a previous Patch report.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Orange County Register later reported that Heathco's business, LES Labs, is located in Newport Beach.


RELATED: 2 Orange County Residents Found Dead In Luxury Baja Hotel Room

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


The pair was found Tuesday in a room at the Hotel Rancho Pescadero in Baja California Sur, according to the report. The town is located between Todos Santos and Los Cabos in Mexico.

Their cause of death is currently under investigation.

The Associated Press reported that the suspected cause of death was inhalation of gas.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is something that has taken the lives of American tourists in Mexico in the past due to improperly installed gas lines, vents and monitoring devices, the Associated Press reported.

Baja California Attorney General told ABC news their cause of death was “intoxication by substance to be determined."

Police told investigators that the man and woman had been dead for about ten hours, and there were "no signs of violence" present at the scene.

Family and friends of the couple created a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.

"Abby was supposed to meet up with her dad this week for Father's Day and all of this is completely unexpected," family friend Gabrielle Slate said on GoFundMe. "Abby was the most beautiful soul and we will miss her so much."

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