A tourist was dragged into the sea and killed by a wild crocodile.
Irving Mauricio was reportedly taking photographs at the water’s edge near his hotel when the reptile struck.
A woman accompanying him raised the alarm as the croc seized him and pulled him out to sea.
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The 28-year-old tourist, who was on holiday in the coastal resort with family members, was found dead the following day.
The animal attack took place near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, at around 6.30pm last Friday (26 Jun).
The emergency services, including Civil Protection, Jalisco state firefighters, and Mexican Navy (Semar) personnel, launched a search operation that continued through the night amid challenging currents.
Irving, originally from Mexico City, was found floating several hundred metres from the attack site near the beach by the Boca Negra estuary.
The victim had suffered deep bite wounds to his upper and lower limbs.
His body was transferred to the forensic service for formal identification and return to his family.
The authorities simultaneously captured the crocodile, described as approximately 12ft (3.7 metres) long, in the same coastal area.
The reptile is undergoing forensic analysis to definitively link it to the attack.
It will likely be relocated rather than euthanised, as reported by Need To Know.
Forensic experts confirmed the victim’s primary cause of death as asphyxia due to submersion (drowning).
Irving’s family has been left devastated.
His mother posted on Facebook: “My beautiful boy, Irving Mauricio, my life and my love.
“You have shattered my heart… Forgive me for not taking care of you as I would have wanted.
“Rest in peace, my love.”
Puerto Vallarta lies in a region where mangrove estuaries and waterways form natural crocodile habitats, particularly in the northern hotel zone.
Local officials have renewed urgent warnings to residents and tourists to heed signs, avoid entering the water especially at dawn and dusk, and steer clear of estuarine areas.
The investigation into Irving’s death continues.
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