Calif. Couple Fatally Shot While Vacationing in Mexico, Leaving Behind 3 Children

Mar. 15, 2025

American flag and Mexican flag.Photo:HUNG CHIN LIU/Getty

HUNG CHIN LIU/Getty

A California couple has been fatally shot while on a family vacation in Mexico, according to reports.

Gunmen opened fire on Rafael Cardona, 53, and Gloria Amrbiz, 50, as the pair rode in a black 2016 Ford Platinum pickup truck near an intersection in Angamacutiro in the state of Michoacán, on the night of Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Michoacán Attorney General’s Office said, perCNN,ABC NewsandThe New York Times.

Cardona was identified as the brother-in-law of the mayor of Angamacutiro, Hermes Pacheco, according to multiple reports. Pacheco became mayor in late October after his predecessor Maribel Juárez Blanquet was abducted earlier in the year, according to the Mexican newspaperEl Universal.

Cardona and Ambriz had traveled to Mexico on Nov. 30 to spend the holidays with their family, CNN andNYTreported.

Police car.Evgen_Prozhyrko/Getty

Evgen_Prozhyrko/Getty

Pacheco told police that the couple was driving his truck at the time of the shooting, which occurred near the couple’s house in Angamacuitro, per ABC News and CNN.

The victims shared three children, one adult daughter, and two minors, who were not with their parents at the time of the shooting. The children are currently with extended family in Angamacutiro, according to ABC News.

No motive for the killings has been determined at this time.

Ballistic evidence was recovered from the scene to help with the ongoing investigation, perFox 11 News.

The United States Embassy in Mexico said in a statement, perNYT: “We are aware of reports of the death of two U.S. citizens in Michoacán, Mexico. We are working to gather more information and stand ready to provide consular assistance if needed.”

Cardona was born in the U.S. and Ambriz became a national citizen after being born in Mexico,NYTrevealed.

A mass for the couple is being held in Angamacutiro on Saturday, Dec. 14, local authorities said, per CNN.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.PEOPLE has reached out to the Michoacán Attorney General’s Office for comment.

source: people.com