fishuntr
Junior Nomad
Posts: 29
Registered: 10-7-2002
Location: So. Calif. High Desert
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A Learning Experience, but Not fun
Last weekend I drove to Baja on a mission that was necessary, but definitely not one I want to repeat. Some of you who know me may be aware my family
has had a place on the playa near Colonet since 1980. In recent years I have not used it much, concentrating on seeing as many new places in Baja as
I can.
My sister and her husband more or less took over the place and he has spent a lot of time there. Larry, my brother-in-law absolutely loved spending
weeks at a time there since he retired a few years ago. I got a call from my sister Thursday evening. She was terribly upset, crying, and told me
that her husband died at the place. This is the report of what happened as a result of that call.
My two adult sons and I picked up my sister in Rancho Cucamonga and drove to San Ysidro arriving at close to midnight. After about 4 hours rest, we
crossed the border early. We arrived in Ensenada about 8A. My sister had been informed that Larry was at the coroner's office in Ensenada. We got
directions and drove to the coroners office which isn't far from the San Nicholas Hotel.
The Pathologist arrived at the same time we did and we were able to speak to him in the parking lot. He was very nice and directed us inside and told
us what was required. I stayed with my sister while my sons identified the body.
I had a little knowlege of what might be needed and we brought with us Larry's birth certificate, marriage license and a few other papers. After only
about 1/2 hour we were on our way to Maneaderos for interviews by the homocide detective. My sister and I were both interviewed, reports were made
out and more papers were given to us. these were necesssary for the coroner to release the remains.
I forgot to mention that Larry died of natural causes, an apparent heart attack. He was found by a neighbor.
We returned to the coroners office in Ensenada about 1PM, still on Friday. We turned in the papers and were informed by the Pathologist that he had
completed the autopsy and the remains could be released . The coroner reccommended a mortuary and we were talking to the mortician by 3PM.
Larry had requested that when he died he wanted to be cremated and the ashes deposited at the beach house in Colonet. We negotiated with the
mortician and arrived at a fair price for the whole thing. This would include all the necessary paperwork translated into english, the death
certificate, and 10 certified copies. We were informed this would all be done by 2 PM the next day, Saturday.
(starting to sound incredible yet?)
We spent the night at Motel Rudy's fine establishment, killed time on Saturday and arrived the the mortuary shortly before 2PM. Well the promised
time was late by 15 minutes.
We pulled out of Ensenada about 3PM and headed for the border with dear Larry safely in the back seat in his little wood box.
We crossed the border just before dark with no problems. We had picked up Larry's truck and were driving two vehicles home. The only thing customs
was interested in was the fact neither of my sons had passport cards. My son Mark, a Deputy Sheriff could have gotten us in trouble with his smart
a## answer to the inspector about where the owner of the truck was. Mark said "oh, he's in the back seat" The inspector either didn't hear or didn't
really care. He just gave the truck a cursory look and sent us on our way. My other son and my sister were following us.
The whole point of this lengthy narrative is to relate how easily we accomplished this sad chore. I have been visiting Baja since I was a teenager.
(67 years old now) I have never had dealings with Mexican authorities go this well. Two days, no mordida, no delays, pleasant officials,
professional demeanor. By the way, none of us speak more than "pigeon spanish". It seems we hear so many negative things about the Baja we love, I
thought it would be good to relate this.
Do the best you can and enjoy your life
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Fishuntr,
I'm sorry for your loss. My condolences to Larry's family and friends.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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This is one trail that we all must eventually trek.
Thanks for the sensitive report.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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It is good that such a sad event was handled expeditiously. I am sorry for your family's loss. Didn't you say that Larry wanted his ashes scattered on
the beach at his home in Colonet? Why wasn't that done? I hope I am not being too insensitive by asking this question. You don't have to answer it,
but you did post that information. 
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fishuntr
I have never had dealings with Mexican authorities go this well. Two days, no mordida, no delays, pleasant officials, professional demeanor. By the
way, none of us speak more than "pigeon spanish". It seems we hear so many negative things about the Baja we love, I thought it would be good to
relate this. |
I would reserve judgment until you inventory your Colonet home. The last two friends I lost in Baja had their personal effects stolen by police
investigators and/or ambulance attendants. Watches, jewelry, wallets and cash all magically disappeared.
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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Thanks for sharing that. It's good to hear that when things go wrong- things can also go right. It does seem very fast to get the cremains returned
from the mortuary though. I know this is painful, but would you care to share the total cost of those services. Thanks.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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Do you need to get an American death certificate, based upon the Mexican death certificate, from a US Consulate to settle the estate?
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fishuntr
Junior Nomad
Posts: 29
Registered: 10-7-2002
Location: So. Calif. High Desert
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I left a few things unsaid because my post was so lengthy. I will be returning to Baja this Friday to tie up a few loose ends. One is picking up
certified copies of the death certificate tanslated into englsh.
We will be going on to Colonet and bringing Larry back to the place he loved. His cremains will be left there. We will check the cabin and contents
out and possibly bring a few things back with us. Since I rented 2 lots there back in 1980, there have been many improvements. There is now a
Mexican caretaker/guard that lives in the little settlement. There are also a few fulltimer retirees. Everything should be secure.
All of Larry's personal possessions were returned; wallet, credit cards, wedding ring etc. There was, however, no money. It probably was "liberated"
by somebody. My sister said it couldn't have been much money.
As far as the question re: the U.S. Consul and death certificates, I guess we will have to wait and find out. I do know the consulate was advised. I
was told that the translated certified copies were good in the U.S.
I remain thoroughly impressed with the way the whole thing was handled by the authorities. My background is law enforcement. In my long carreer I
dealth with many death investigations. This kind of unattended death, had it happened in the U.S. would have taken much longer to resolve, even
though it was clearly natural.
Thanks to all for the kind words.
Do the best you can and enjoy your life
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fishuntr
Junior Nomad
Posts: 29
Registered: 10-7-2002
Location: So. Calif. High Desert
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I just noticed the question about cost. The whole thing was just under $1000 U.S.
Do the best you can and enjoy your life
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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My condolences to you and your family. You have given us excellent information, thanks.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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My thoughts are with you and your family---so sorry for your loss. It is good that the way it was handled made such a difficult thing a little
easier.
Will be thinking about you and your task on Friday---does sound like it really is the right thing for Larry for him to be forever at a place he loved,
but it never is an easy for those left behind.
And your very complete report is very much appreciated.
Diana
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knuckles
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 9-15-2009
Location: I am never sure anymore :)
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This is how it should be. Bless those fine people who are doing their jobs respectfully and properly.
For every bad story that gets posted here, I hope there are hundreds like this one.
Respects and condolences to your sister and family.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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Really glad it worked out well as it could for the family.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sorry for your loss... Thank you for sharing, it is valuable information and something many of may need to experience.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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thanks so much for sharing. invaluable information.
my condolences.... I am so sorry for your loss.
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