American couple shot to death in western Mexico state of Michoacan

PTI |
Dec 15, 2024 11:19 AM IST

State prosecutors said the couple died when their pickup truck was sprayed with bullets.


An American couple were shot to death while visiting the western Mexico state of Michoacan. Officials confirmed their nationalities on Saturday.

State prosecutors said the couple died when their pickup truck was sprayed with bullets. Investigations were underway, but authorities offered no immediate information on the identity of the assailants or a possible motive.

The killings occurred late Wednesday in the town Angamacutiro, Michoacan.

The town government confirmed that the victims were named Rafael Cardona, and his wife, Gloria Ambriz. It identified Cardona as the brother-in-law of the town's mayor and said the town government's public Christmas-season events were cancelled.

Local media reported the couple were from Sacramento, California, and were apparently visiting the town.

The town is located on the border with the neighboring state of Guanajuato, which has more homicides than any other state in Mexico. Warring drug gangs fighting for the territory are largely responsible for the violence there.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/american-couple-shot-to-death-in-western-mexico-state-of-michoacan-101734240286529.html

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American couple killed in Mexico, found shot in pickup truck: officials
December 14, 2024

Two Americans from California are dead after being found shot in a pickup truck in Mexico, officials said.

Authorities located Gloria Ambriz, 50, and Rafael Cardona, 53, while responding to a report of a shooting in Angamacutiro in the western state of Michoacán on Wednesday night, according to Fox News affiliate, KTTV, citing the state attorney general’s office.

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The couple, who were on vacation visiting family, was traveling in a black 2016 Ford Platinum pickup truck when gunmen opened fire near an intersection.

Ambriz was pronounced dead on the scene, while Cardona succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to a hospital in Puruándiro, officials said.

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The attorney general’s office has assembled a team of prosecutors, police, and forensic experts to determine the motive and identify those responsible for the killings.

More:
https://dnyuz.com/2024/12/14/american-couple-killed-in-mexico-found-shot-in-pickup-truck-officials/

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13 December 2024
California Couple Killed While Vacationing In Michoacán

Gloria Ambriz and Rafael Cardona tragically lose their lives during family visit, sparking concerns over safety.
When tragedy strikes abroad, it often leaves loved ones struggling to grasp the loss. Such is the case for Gloria Ambriz, 50, and Rafael Cardona, 53, two Californians who were shot and killed during their vacation in the Mexican state of Michoacán, leaving both families and communities grappling with grief.

On Wednesday evening, authorities reported the shocking incident taking place in the municipality of Angamacutiro. The couple had been driving their black 2016 Ford Platinum pickup truck, complete with local Querétaro license plates, when gunmen opened fire. The vehicle, found riddled with bullets, became the tragic scene of their last moments together.

Gloria was pronounced dead at the scene, with emergency services responding quickly to the crisis. Rafael, initially still alive, was rushed to the Puruándiro hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. This shocking news has reverberated through the close-knit communities connected with the couple, igniting fears about safety for those traveling to Mexico.

Details surrounding the attack remain scarce and veiled in uncertainty. Local authorities are delving deep to understand the motive and whether the couple was deliberately targeted. The Michoacán Attorney General's Office has stated it is conducting thorough investigations, gathering ballistic evidence, and assembling a dedicated team of prosecutors, police, and forensic experts to piece together the events leading to this double homicide.

Interestingly, the tragedy holds connections to local politics; Mayor Hermes Pacheco of Angamacutiro is married to Rafael's sister. The mayor's family ties intertwine with the victims' family history, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative. It’s notable, too, as both Gloria and Rafael lived stateside but had roots planted back home—they owned property near where they were attacked.

More:
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/california-couple-killed-while-vacationing-in-michoacn-88048