Deaths

Family Of Lawyer Who Died In Mexico Suspects Foul Play And Is Fighting Against Having His Body Cremated

They want a full investigation into the attorney's death.

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Kim Williams and Elliot Blair. (Image via GoFundMe)

More layers are being revealed in the tragic death of Elliot Blair. The California public defender was on vacation in Rosarito Beach, Mexico — celebrating his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Kim Williams, a fellow public defender — when he died Saturday, January 14th. Mexican authorities say Blair accidentally fell to his death from a resort balcony. However, his family doesn’t think that’s true.

As noted on the family’s GoFundMe page:

The family, which has extensive legal training in criminal law, wholeheartedly believes based on their initial investigation, that Elliot was the victim of a brutal crime. We are sorry that it has taken so long to release a statement, as the family was hopeful of promised information by the Mexican authorities. However, it appears that information isn’t going to be directly disseminated to the family.

Blair’s family also says the local authorities have not been forthcoming with information about the incident, writing, “The family is devastated that since this incident, no one from the Rosarito Beach Police Department, their district attorney’s office, or any other Mexican officials have reached out and spoken to them directly.” Mexican authorities have also repeatedly suggested Blair’s body be cremated — something the family is pushing back against. They want to conduct “their own independent investigation, specifically hiring a private investigation firm, retaining an independent forensic pathologist to conduct a medical examination, including their own toxicology analysis.”

The family has also laid out a number of facts they’ve been able to ascertain about Blair’s death, notably that Blair and his wife stayed at the same resort — sometimes in the same room — multiple times over the last few years; the incident occurred on an open-air walkway outside their room; Blair was found in his underwear, socks, and night shirt at the time of his death.

Blair’s colleagues and friends are mourning his death, and have no reason to suspect his work is related to his death. As reported by Law and Crime:

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John Jenks, a private investigator who worked with Blair on drug cases said he was a dedicated attorney who had compassion for his clients. He said he had no information that led him to believe that the death was connected to his work.

He was shocked when he saw the news report about Blair’s death.

“My heart just breaks,” he said.

Above the Law sends condolences to Blair’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.

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