A California deputy public defender has died while on vacation in Mexico, but different explanations are being offered as to how.
The Orange County Register is reporting that Elliott Blair of the Orange County Public Defenders Office was “killed” Saturday, writing that “Public Defender Martin Schwarz confirmed the information.”
Blair and his wife were celebrating their first wedding anniversary, Schwarz said,
Elliott Blair was a public defender in Orange County. They were killed in Mexico while celebrating their first wedding anniversary. https://t.co/mH0xAb9vWA
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The media said, “Blair appears to have been the victim of a crime, but further details are unknown. The crime did not involve his wife.
Local media in Mexico reported that Blair, 33, died accidentally after falling from a balcony at the Las Rocas Resort and Spa, according to a second report from the Orange County Register.
The story of the four-story fall came from Mexican police via the Spanish-language news outlet Patrulla 646 Código Rojo. Hotel staff found Blair’s body around 1:15 a.m. Saturday, the report said.
According to the Orange County Register, Mexican police said they found evidence that Blair was under the influence of alcohol at the time of her death, though the outlet was sure to note that it was “not clear what that evidence was.”
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The Mexican police’s claim doesn’t mesh with what’s written on the GoFundMe page set up by Annie Rodriguez.
That page reported that Blair was “tragically killed,” though it’s worth noting that it’s not abundantly clear what Rodriguez’s connection to Blair was.
“We wish we could provide more information to everyone, but Mexican authorities have released very limited information. He was the victim of a brutal crime. His family is working with US authorities to get more information,” the site said, without providing details.
The Orange County Register attempted to reach her for comment but was unable to do so.
According to the Orange County Register, California’s Democratic Rep. Lou Correa is trying to pry details from Mexican officials.
According to the Orange County Register, Schwarz called Blair “a devoted husband, a terrific person and a wonderful attorney who has dedicated his life to serving his clients and helping the county’s most vulnerable.”
“He impacted countless lives and his loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him. We are communicating with the family and doing what we can to support them during this difficult time, including working with local and federal authorities to help provide them with answers,” he said.
Blair’s widow, Kim, also works in the public defender’s office.
“Elliott and Kim have been public defenders in Orange County, CA since 2017. Elliott was a compassionate attorney who dedicated his life to serving clients in need. Elliott was known as a patient and caring attorney. He was the best of us and countless members of our office and the Orange County legal community. Loved. We are heartbroken,” the GoFundMe page said.
This article was originally published in The Western Journal.
