Minnesota Couple Fatally Shot in Popular Tourist Destination in Mexico

A Minnesota couple was shot dead by gunmen on motorcycles in a popular tourist hotspot in Mexico, leaving their 18-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son behind. On April 7, Miguel Angel Abrego Hurtado, 49, and Leticia Carrillo Arellano, 49, visited their family in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, when the brutal murders happened.

The media informed family members that the Mexican police were investigating the case. Still, some have expressed anger and disappointment that the police authorities are not giving them the information they need.

Shot dead by gunmen on motorcycles

As per Oaxaca Post, the couple was driving their black double cabin truck along a coastal highway on April 7. Before reaching Zicatela beach, a group of unknown individuals on motorcycles caught up with their vehicle and shot the couple several times before fleeing.

It was presumed that the victims were foreign tourists as their vehicle had plates from the state of Minnesota.

The State Attorney General's Office also said that a group of armed individuals "attacked and executed" a man and a woman on the coastal highway.

The state and federal security forces and state investigation agents arrived at the scene to carry out inquiries regarding the case.

A loving couple

Family and friends are devastated as the couple was "the glue" to their family. Daily Mail reported that Maya Khakural, a close friend of the couple, described the two as "loving people, loving parents, and one of the most amazing human beings" that she had met. They also said that the couple is the true definition of "till death do us part." Before the murders, they were busy and excited about building their dream home in Mexico, their family and friends said.

Captain John Stahnke of the Coon Rapids Police Department, where the couple was from in Minnesota, expressed that the incident deeply saddens their department. He also said he encourages people to help the couple's children, who are now forced to navigate the future with no parents.

Call for help

The couple is survived by their two children, Diana, 18, a senior at Coon Rapids High School, and Miguel, 21, a college student. The children now need financial assistance to cover the transportation expenses of their parents' bodies from Puerto Escondido to their hometown, funeral arrangements, attorney's fees, counseling, and everyday living expenses to thrive.

Friends and family set up a GoFundMe page to help the family in the tragedy. The fundraiser page shared that for reasons beyond their understanding," a senseless act took the couple, Miguel and Leticia, away from them. It also said that family and friends are deeply devastated.

The fundraising initiative raised almost $32,000 as of Monday towards their goal of $75,000.

In its recently issued travel advisory, the U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs listed Oaxaca as one of the areas "where travelers should exercise increased caution" due to its high crime level, as per Inforum.