Tulum, Mexico – A Los Angeles woman was tragically killed last week in the Mexican resort city of Tulum, reportedly caught in the crossfire of a drug-related shootout. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Niko Honarbakhsh, was living in Cancun at the time of the incident.
According to a press release from the Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office, the shooting occurred on February 9 at a beach club in Tulum, located in the resort state of Quintana Roo. Authorities confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the incident – Honarbakhsh and a male suspected of being involved in the drug trade.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, with the local attorney general’s office announcing the discovery of drug paraphernalia, including bags of cocaine and pills, on the deceased male. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, although local media outlet Riviera Maya News reported that it may have been sparked by a clash between rival gangs in a hotel.
The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for Quintana Roo, urging visitors to “exercise increased caution due to crime” in the region. The advisory highlights the potential for criminal activity and violence, which can occur at any time and in any location, including popular tourist destinations. The State Department warns that innocent bystanders have been injured in shootings between rival gangs, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness.
Local authorities have dismissed early misinformation that claimed Honarbakhsh and the male victim were a couple. In their press release, prosecutors stated that evidence retrieved from the male victim’s phone indicated no connection between him and Honarbakhsh. Photos of him with another woman and the absence of any pictures of him and Honarbakhsh together led investigators to conclude that she had no involvement in the dispute that ultimately led to the fatal shooting.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to bring justice to Honarbakhsh and the other victim. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by crime in Quintana Roo, prompting the State Department’s travel advisory to remain in effect.