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The death of an Orange County deputy public defender at a Mexican resort last weekend was an “unfortunate accident,” Baja California authorities said Monday.
Elliot Blair, 33, of Orange, was discovered early Saturday under a third-floor balcony at Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito Beach.
Blair and his wife, Kimberly Williams, who is also a deputy public defender, were at the resort to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
After the autopsy, officials from the Baja California Attorney General’s Office said Blair’s death appeared to be the “result of an unfortunate accident involving the now deceased falling from a third story.”
Elliot Blair (pictured), 33, of Orange, was discovered early Saturday morning below a third-floor balcony at Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito Beach.
Blair and his wife, Kimberly Williams, who is also a deputy public defender, were at the resort to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
Pictured: Las Rocas Resort and Spa on Rosarito Beach
David Scarsone, a lawyer for Blair’s family, said they still had doubts that she fell from the balcony and would carry out their own investigation.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” Scarsone said. ‘[The family] is rejecting that conclusion [by Mexican authorities].’
Family and colleagues said in a GoFundMe page for Blair who was ‘tragically murdered’ and died due to a ‘brutal crime’.
In a brief statement, Mexican authorities said they are investigating her death and are in contact with US authorities through the US Department of Justice and the FBI, which is in turn informing Blair’s family.
At around 1:15 a.m. on January 14, authorities were notified that Blair fell from the balcony of the Hotel Las Rocas in the town of Rosarito, just south of Tijuana and off the Tijuana-Ensenada highway.
In the photo: Elliot Blair and his wife, Kimberly Williams. Family and colleagues said on a GoFundMe page that Blair was “tragically murdered” and died due to a “brutal crime.”
In the photo: Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Playas de Rosarito. After an autopsy, officials with the Baja California Attorney General’s Office said Blair’s death appeared to be the “result of an unfortunate accident involving the now deceased falling from a third story.”
In the image: Blair’s wedding. In a brief statement, Mexican authorities said they are investigating her death and are in contact with US authorities through the US Department of Justice and the FBI, which is in turn informing Blair’s family. .
Local news site Patrulla 646 Código Rojo reported that hotel staff notified authorities about the accident. After the police arrived, paramedics showed up and pronounced him dead, he said.
The preliminary report indicates that Blair showed signs of having been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fall, the news site added.
Personnel from the State Attorney General’s Office were in charge of removing the body and conducting an investigation.
A Facebook page dedicated to sharing news from the Rosarito area, Rosarito in the News, shared an account of what happened, noting that local authorities were withholding information and citing reports in The OC Register.
Orange County Public Defender Martin Schwarz told The OC Register: “We have been in communication with the family and are doing everything we can to support them through this difficult time, including working with local and federal officials to help provide answers”.
At around 1:15 a.m. on January 14, authorities were notified that Blair fell from the balcony of the Hotel Las Rocas (pictured) in the town of Rosarito, just south of Tijuana and off the Tijuana-Tijuana highway. Cove.
‘Elliot was known for a smile on his face and an intelligent mind. There aren’t enough words to express the level of love he had for Kim. Kim was the life of him,’ said the GoFundMe page set up in Blair’s memory.
The GoFundMe page said of Blair and his wife: “They began building a life together in their first year of marriage.” Elliot was murdered on their first wedding anniversary. Kim’s heart is broken’
The GoFundMe page created in Blair’s memory has generated more than $101,000 in donations.
Funds raised will go to help Williams transport Blair’s body from Mexico to the United States and deal with all the red tape, the organizer said.
Blair was “a compassionate attorney who dedicated his life to serving indigent clients,” a post on the GofundMe page read.
‘Elliot was known as a patient and supportive advocate. He was the best of us and was loved by countless members of our office and the Orange County legal community. We are heartbroken.
The post said that Blair would now be with her father, Tom, who died two years ago.
‘Elliot and Tom were thick as crooks,’ he said. “They spent countless hours together in the garage working on cars, dirt bikes and buggies.”
The publication added: ‘Elliot was known for a smile on his face and an intelligent mind. There aren’t enough words to express the level of love he had for Kim. Kim was the life of him.
“They began building a life together in their first year of marriage. Elliot was murdered on their first wedding anniversary. Kim’s heart is broken.