Latest news with #PuertoEscondido
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
A Saskatoon man reported missing from a Mexican beach has been found dead
A Saskatoon man reported missing from a beach in Puerto Escondido, Mexico over the weekend has been found dead. Authorities began their search for 31-year-old Braydon Bretzer on Sunday evening after he failed to return from a swim. According to several Mexican media sources, witnesses saw Bretzer and a 40-year-old American named Chris Ankele enter the water on Sunday afternoon at Zicatela Beach, which authorities say is known for its strong currents and is not suitable for swimming. Oaxacan state officials spent several days searching the area. Bretzer's body was reportedly found on Tuesday. The other swimmer, Ankele, has not yet been recovered. Global Affairs Canada told CTV News it was aware of the death and said consular officials are in contact with local authorities to provide help where they can. Here in Saskatoon, a friend of Bretzer's has launched a GoFundMe to support the family's expenses as they arrange to return his body. Graeme Bouvier, who started the fundraiser, says Bretzer 'lived life to the fullest.' 'He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone. He was loved by many — he made people feel seen, valued, and cared for,' Bouvier wrote. He says Bretzer's family has pledged to donate any funds in excess of their $30,000 goal to his favourite local charities, like SCAT. Over $22,000 had been raised by Friday afternoon.
National Post
4 days ago
- General
- National Post
Canadian man who disappeared after going swimming in Mexico washes up dead
A 31-year-old Canadian man has been found dead at Mexico's Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido. Article content Braydon Bretzer was reportedly with American citizen Chris Ankele when the pair were last seen swimming in the water on Sunday, May 25, according to Mexican publication Ahora Oaxaca Noticias. Authorities said witnesses saw a current pulling them away and they drifted out to sea before disappearing, Daily Mail reported. Article content Article content The beach is a well-known surfing spot, per travel website Lonely Planet's review of the location. 'Nonsurfers beware: the waters here have a lethal undertow and are not safe for the boardless, or beginner surfers either,' the site warns. According to authorities, Zicatela is not suitable for swimming, 'especially during swells, which cause dangerous currents and waves up to three meters high,' local publication El Tiempo reported. Article content 'Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance,' said MacLeod, adding that no more information can be disclosed at this time due to privacy considerations. Article content On May 26, Puerto Escondido Lifeguards said there were two people missing at sea in a social media post. They cautioned beach-goers against walking along Zicatela Beach and said to avoid getting into the water. Videos shared by the account on Instagram showed white-capped waves slamming down onto the shore. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by SalvavidasLifeguard PuertoEscondido (@salvavidas_lifeguard_puertoesc) Article content The Municipal Government of San Pedro Mixtepec said a search for the tourists was underway in the area, in a post on Facebook on May 27 around noon. It urged 'tourist service providers to stay informed about the weather conditions.' It also said that locals should 'avoid entering the sea' and listen to instructions from lifeguards. Article content
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
American man VANISHES and Canadian friend washes up dead in popular Mexico beach
A Canadian man has been found dead and an American remains missing after the pair disappeared from a popular tourist beach in Mexico. Authorities said Braydon Bretzer, a 31-year-old resident of Saskatoon, Canada, and Chris Ankele, 40, from the United States, were seen in waters considered unsafe for swimmers in Oaxaca, on Mexico's southern Pacific coast about 600 miles from the border with Guatemala. At one point, Bretzer and Ankele were seen pulled away by a current and drifted out into the sea before vanishing off Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido, authorities said. An Oaxaca Civil Protection unit and lifeguards initiated a search and rescue mission but were unable to locate them. Video footage filmed Monday afternoon showed the moment Bretzer's body was spotted floating in the water as a search and rescue boat approached. Bretzer is thought to have drowned, while Ankele's body had not been recovered as of Thursday. 'Search efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of the second tourist, following the protocols established in the sea search plan,' the San Pedro Mixtepec mayor's office said in a statement. 'The municipal government reiterates its commitment to addressing this emergency and maintains ongoing coordination with state and federal authorities.' San Pedro Mixtepec called on tourism businesses to remain vigilant about the weather conditions. It also warned locals and tourists to keep their distance from the sea and to adhere to the instructions of the city's lifeguards. Although Zicatela Beach is widely considered one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido. It's not ideal for swimming but is a favorite spot for surfers because of its massive waves. In April, 22-year-old Miguel Robles drowned at the beach and his brother Benjamín Robles, 26, was rescued. In May 2023, Andra Kitsu, a 33-year-old visiting from Romania, drowned at the beach despite warning flags that reminded visitors not to enter the water. The body of Canadian national Braydon Bretzer (pictured) was recovered Monday afternoon, a day after he and his American friend, Chris Ankele, were swept by a current while swimming at Zicatela Beach. Authorities have yet to locate Ankele Bretzer, who used to coach youth soccer, had been working as a freelance marketing consultant, according to his LinkedIn page. His friend, Graeme Bouvier, set up a fundraiser via Go Fund Me to help his family repatriate his remains to Canada. 'Braydon's sudden passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him,' Bouvier wrote. 'Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone. He was loved by many — he made people feel seen, valued, and cared for.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
American tourist, 40, missing in Mexico after being dragged out to sea as Canadian man, 31, found dead
THE body of a missing tourist has washed up on a popular Mexican beach as fears grow for a fellow holidaymaker who vanished alongside him. Canadian Braydon Bretzer, 31, and American Chris Ankele, 40, both disappeared after being pulled away by a strong current while swimming in notoriously dangerous waters. 5 5 Authorities said the pair were last seen off Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido on Mexico's southern Pacific coast. Both were caught being pulled away by the choppy waters and drifted out into the sea before vanishing without a trace, investigators said. A local Oaxaca Civil Protection unit and a team of lifeguards desperately launched a search and rescue mission but couldn't find either of the men. Tragic footage was later recorded on Monday afternoon showing Bretzer's body floating in the water. An emergency boat rushed out to bring the man to safety but he was pronounced dead due to drowning, according to initial reports. Ankele's body is yet to be recovered. Tributes to Bretzer, a former youth football coach and freelance marketing consultant, have been paid by his friends back home in Saskatoon. Graeme Bouvier said: "On the night of May 25th, we lost a very special friend, brother, son and teammate. "Braydon's sudden passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. "Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone." A GoFundMe page has also been set up by Bouvier to help fly Bretzer's body back home to Canada and to give his family any additional support. It has raised over $8,500 so far. The San Pedro Mixtepec mayor's office said in a statement on Thursday evening: "Search efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of the second tourist, following the protocols established in the sea search plan. "The municipal government reiterates its commitment to addressing this emergency and maintains ongoing coordination with state and federal authorities." Zicatela Beach is known as a bustling tourist hotspot and is popular with surfers due to its massive waves. But due to the dangerous conditions and often fast flowing waters, holidaymakers are urged not to swim for their own safety. Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone Graeme Bouvierclose friend of Braydon Bretzer A number of deadly trips to the beach in recent years have resulted in these warnings being constantly repeated to travellers. In April, a 22-year-old Miguel Robles drowned at the beach with his brother Benjamín Robles, 26, having to be rescued by horrified onlookers and lifeguards. And in May 2023, Romanian holidaymaker Andra Kitsu, 33, drowned despite warning flags reminding visitors to stay out of the water. Last month, another missing tourist was also found dead just days after desperately trying to save his friend from a riptide during their vacation in Mexico. Alejandro Gonzalez, 20, vanished while swimming in the ocean after he managed to save his female friend who was in difficulty. His body was found after a three-day search. A loving mum was also killed in a Mexican beach horror story after a shark tore off her leg while she lifted her five-year-old to safety. Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez, 26, was just 65ft from the shore when she was savaged by the beast at Melaque Beach in the state of Jalisco. 5 5
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
American man VANISHES and Canadian friend washes up dead in popular Mexico resort
A Canadian man has been found dead and an American remains missing after the pair disappeared from a popular tourist beach in Mexico. Authorities said Braydon Bretzer, a 31-year-old resident of Saskatoon, Canada, and Chris Ankele, 40, from the United States, were seen in waters considered unsafe for swimmers in Oaxaca, on Mexico's southern Pacific coast about 600 miles from the border with Guatemala. At one point, Bretzer and Ankele were seen pulled away by a current and drifted out into the sea before vanishing off Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido, authorities said. An Oaxaca Civil Protection unit and lifeguards initiated a search and rescue mission but were unable to locate them. Video footage filmed Monday afternoon showed the moment Bretzer's body was spotted floating in the water as a search and rescue boat approached. Bretzer is thought to have drowned, while Ankele's body had not been recovered as of Thursday. 'Search efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of the second tourist, following the protocols established in the sea search plan,' the San Pedro Mixtepec mayor's office said in a statement. 'The municipal government reiterates its commitment to addressing this emergency and maintains ongoing coordination with state and federal authorities.' San Pedro Mixtepec called on tourism businesses to remain vigilant about the weather conditions. It also warned locals and tourists to keep their distance from the sea and to adhere to the instructions of the city's lifeguards. Although Zicatela Beach is widely considered one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido. It's not ideal for swimming but is a favorite spot for surfers because of its massive waves. In April, 22-year-old Miguel Robles drowned at the beach and his brother Benjamín Robles, 26, was rescued. In May 2023, Andra Kitsu, a 33-year-old visiting from Romania, drowned at the beach despite warning flags that reminded visitors not to enter the water. The body of Canadian national Braydon Bretzer (pictured) was recovered Monday afternoon, a day after he and his American friend, Chris Ankele, were swept by a current while swimming at Zicatela Beach. Authorities have yet to locate Ankele Bretzer, who used to coach youth soccer, had been working as a freelance marketing consultant, according to his LinkedIn page. His friend, Graeme Bouvier, set up a fundraiser via Go Fund Me to help his family repatriate his remains to Canada. 'Braydon's sudden passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him,' Bouvier wrote. 'Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone. He was loved by many — he made people feel seen, valued, and cared for.'
