An American schoolteacher who was in Mexico to hike the remote trails of Copper Canyon National Park was killed by a member of the drug cartel that was once led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Patrick Braxton-Andrew of North Carolina was killed in a “cowardly and brutal murder” by a drug dealer from the Sinaloa cartel while he was out for a walk, according to the verified Facebook page of Chihuahua’s governor.
“Under the progress in the investigation, I can say that it was a cowardly and brutal murder, of a totally innocent person, a clean man whose misfortune was to cross his walk with this criminal,” Gov. Javier Corral Jurado wrote in his post.
That dealer is believed to be a known cartel associate named Jose Noriel Porfilo Gil.
Missing since October 28, Braxton-Andrew’s body was found on a Mexican beach last week.
Another Facebook page devoted to finding the missing teacher shared this message: “The family would like to thank the Chihuahua Governor and Attorney General for their unwavering commitment to locating Patrick. Patrick died doing what he loved – traveling and meeting people. Join us in celebrating his life as he would want us to do. We will always remember Patrick and his joy for life. We love you PBA.”
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