Another Canadian Dies Under Strange Circumstances

Once again a Canadian citizen has mysteriously died in Mexico. 19-year-old Josh Iwasiuk was vacationing at the Getaway Resort in Puerto Vallarta with his older brother Jerry last week. The two brothers were drinking in a hotel bar Saturday afternoon which is the last time Jerry saw his younger brother.

After Jerry awoke the next morning hotel staff informed him that his brother was found dead on the ground 10 floors beneath their balcony the victim of an apparent fall. It’s a claim however the family finds hard to believe. Pointing out the chest high height of the balcony railing Jerry said,

“I don’t think he fell by accident. The height of the railing on the balcony? I don’t see it. If somebody stumbled into it, you’d fall down, but you’d have to jump to get over it.”

Further frustrating the Iwasiuk family is the lack of information coming from Mexican authorities. Foreign Affairs is looking into the matter but I won’t hold my breath waiting for any meaningful cooperation from Mexican police. This is certainly not the first time a Canadian tourist has met a mysterious demise in Mexico and it’s not the first time authorities there have dragged their feet conducting a so-called investigation.

Approximately one million Canadians venture to Mexico each year. That’s a lot of revenue. You’d think the authorities would take these tragedies a bit more seriously on that basis alone. Perhaps it’s time Canadians look for more welcoming lands?