Authorities say two of the four Americans kidnapped in Mexico have been found dead, according to the governor of Tamaulipas state. An official familiar with the investigation told CNN that the two surviving Americans are now in the care of the FBI and have returned to the United States.
One of the survivors, a mother of six, traveled to Mexico a second time for medical surgery, said Barbara Burgess, mother of Latavia Washington McGee.
About two or three years ago, Burgess said, she traveled to the country for surgery. But this time, Burgess was notified by the FBI on Sunday that her daughter had been kidnapped and was in danger.
A U.S. official with knowledge of the investigation told CNN that receipts found in the group’s vehicle indicated that the Americans were in Mexico for medical procedures.
A close friend of Washington McKee told CNN the trip was for cosmetic surgery. The group booked a hotel in Brownsville and planned to drive to Matamoros for surgery, according to the friend.
A day after the kidnapping, the friend became concerned and contacted the doctor’s office for more information.
“When I contacted the doctor’s office, they told me that Latavia had contacted them for directions because she was lost,” the friend said. “They sent me a screenshot of a message where they said they had sent her the address and asked if she was using GPS.”
The four were reported missing to Brownsville police on Saturday, according to a police report. Brownsville police inspected a local jail to make sure no one was in custody, but took no other action, the report said.
Mexico has become a particularly popular destination for “medical tourism,” attracting tourists who may be seeking cheaper alternatives or medical services that are not approved or available in the United States. But the CDC warns that, depending on the destination and facility, this growing trend can pose dangerous risks, including infection and possible postoperative complications.
However, Matamoros “is not seen as a major medical tourism destination,” says the company’s founder, Joseph Woodman, “mainly because there are no internationally recognized medical centers/specialty clinics there or nearby.”
Watch it here: