The death of an Orange County deputy public defender at a Mexican beach resort last weekend appeared to be an “unfortunate accident,” authorities in Baja California said Monday, Jan. 16.
Elliot Blair, 33, of Orange was found early Saturday below a third-floor balcony at the Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito Beach. Family and colleagues said on a GoFundMe page that Blair was “tragically killed” and the victim of a “brutal crime.”
However, after an autopsy, officials at Baja California’s Attorney General’s Office said the death appeared to be the “result of an unfortunate accident from a fall by the now deceased from a third-story floor.”
In a brief three-paragraph statement, Mexican authorities said they are investigating Blair’s death and are in contact with American authorities through the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI, which in turn is informing Blair’s family.
David Scarsone, an attorney hired by Blair’s family, said they continue to be skeptical that he just fell off the balcony and will do their own investigation.
“There are many unanswered questions,” Scarsone said. “(The family) is pushing back on that conclusion (by Mexican authorities).”
Blair and his wife, Kimberly Williams – also a deputy public defender – were at the resort celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary.
Blair was known for his friendly nature and his intelligence. “Elliot was known for a smile on his face and his clever mind,” said the GoFundMe page organized in Blair’s memory.
Blair would now be with his father, Tom, who died two years ago, it added.
“Elliot and Tom were thick as thieves,” it said. “They spent countless hours together in the garage working on cars, dirt bikes, and dune buggies.”
Funds raised would go toward helping Blair’s wife “with the cumbersome process involved in transporting Elliot’s body from Mexico to the USA and dealing with all the red tape,” the organizer said.
Blair was “a compassionate lawyer who dedicated his life to serving indigent clients,” the GofundMe page said. “Elliot was known as a patient and caring 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.”
As of Monday night, the fundraiser had generated $97,552 in donations.
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