BY: Nick Fulton
Published 2 days ago
On Friday, Sept. 19, Patrick Henry Murray was found dead in his condo in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. Murray’s neighbors, friends, and family begin to search for answers in the wake of his unexpected death.
The Investigation
Murray, a U.S. citizen, was discovered unresponsive in his apartment at 3:35 PM on Friday after a friend stopped by his home after several attempts to reach him. Paramedics arrived at the scene shortly after and pronounced Murray dead.
His body was transferred to the medical examiner’s office for autopsy, though officials have not yet released an official cause of death. The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office, investigative police, and forensic personnel have launched an investigation into the death. Officials have not ruled out the chance of a homicide. The uncertainty has left Murray’s community broken while grieving the loss of a friend.
Murray was last seen alive on Thursday night, Sept. 18, in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. Security footage and witness accounts show that he entered a bar at about 10:50 p.m. Roughly an hour later, three men arrived. According to reports, one of them approached Murray, and by 12:12 a.m., Murray left the bar with him. The other two men exited the establishment minutes later.
In the days following Murray’s death, images of three men began circulating on social media. The posts attracted claims that the men were connected to a pattern of crimes involving robbery or drugging of victims. While these claims have fueled speculation, local authorities have not confirmed any connection between those individuals and Murray’s death. For now, the case remains under investigation.
Safety Concerns in the Region
The tragedy also highlights ongoing concerns in Puerto Vallarta about safety, particularly in nightlife districts popular with both tourists and expatriates. The United States Consulate General of Guadalajara, Mexico, has previously issued warnings for people who visit Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit in reference to kidnappings for ransom via dating apps. For many, Murray’s death has become a painful reminder of vulnerabilities that exist even in close-knit communities.
As investigators work to determine what happened, friends and neighbors are left to grieve the loss of a familiar and friendly presence in the community. For now, Patrick Henry Murray is remembered as more than the circumstances of his death. His passing has left a mark on Puerto Vallarta, and those who knew him continue to wait for clarity as they come to terms with their loss.
The LBS team would like to give their deepest condolences to Patrick Henry Murray’s family and loved ones.
