Mystery as young family of three including boy, 5, found dead in paradise resort hotel

Daily Mail​

14-07-2025

A family of three was found dead inside a Colombian resort hotel room after they had asked the staff to be moved into a different unit due to a foul odor.
The bodies of Tito Martínez and his four-year-old son Kevin Martínez were found on the bed, and his wife Viviana Canro was discovered on the floor of their room at the Portobelo Hotel in San Andrés last Friday.
Canro's heartbroken father, Orlando, found the bodies - and told La FM radio that his daughter had requested a new room after checking in.
'My daughter, since the first night, asked to change rooms because there was a smell there,' Orlando said. 'We spoke to management, but they said there was no smell.
'The next day she kept insisting … until what happened happened.'
The grieving father said that he wanted to return Viviana's gesture when she delivered coffee to the room where he was staying.
After several knocks on the door and no response, Orlando returned to his room and told his wife that he was worried and they approached the front desk for assistance.
The hotel staffer initially refused to provide access to the room despite pressure from Orlando until they agreed and had a female employee escort him.
Orlando spotted Viviana lying on the floor naked and placed a blanket over her body.
'What I saw the moment I walked through that door was horrifying. I was the first one into the room, and I saw the scene of my daughter lying on the floor and Nelson and my baby lying on the bed,' he said.
'This is a huge pain, and that scene is something I have never been able to erase from my mind, nor will I ever be able to erase.
'My loved ones, my three most precious beings, died in this hotel, and I will carry them in my heart for the rest of my life.'
Initial reports from the medical examiner's office found that all three victims died from poisoning, but they are waiting on the full report to determine what caused the tragedy.
San Andrés Police Department colonel James Totena told Blu Radio that while they are awaiting results of the autopsies, foul play has been ruled out.
'The poisoning could be airborne or ingested,' Totena said. 'Since there are no signs of violence, this is the most reasonable hypothesis for now, but the exact cause will be determined by the Medical Examiner.'
Totena said that the family had a meal and alcoholic beverages in their room in the hours leading up to their deaths.
'One of the three people managed to reach the bathroom and vomited,' he said.
Orlando said his daughter had been saving up money for over a year to gift him and his wife a Father's Day and Mother's Day vacation.
'We will carry them in our hearts for the rest of our lives,' he said. 'They were so sweet and so beautiful. It was my daughter's last outing here in San Andrés.'
Portobelo Hotel lamented the family tragedy in a statement and said that they have been assisting authorities in the investigation.
'From the very beginning, we have met with the family members in person, providing constant support and arranging all the necessary support during this difficult time,' the hotel said.
'We are deeply saddened by what happened, and our team is committed to addressing each of their needs with respect, sensitivity, and willingness.'