How To Find a Missing American in Mexico

Hartley was on a jet skiing trip in Mexico when he went missing.

The family of 57-year-old David Michael Hartley is desperate for any news on his whereabouts as they wait anxiously in Texas. Hartley was reportedly jet skiing on a lake near the Mexican town of Tamaulipas when he was attacked by gunmen and dragged into Mexico. Officials in Mexico say they are doing everything possible to find Hartley, but so far there have been no leads in the case. His wife says she fears for her husband’s life.

Hartley’s wife, Tiffany, spoke to reporters on Friday, saying that her husband had left early that morning for a jet skiing trip on the lake. She said she received a call from him around noon, but has not heard from him since. Tiffany said she contacted the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and was told to wait 24 hours before filing a missing person report. The San Diego police department collects the missing Baja California woman and also note in the Mexican criminal justice system.

“I’m just praying that he’s alive and that somebody will find him and bring him back to me,” she said. “I just want my husband home.”

The Hartleys live in McAllen, Texas, just a few miles from the Mexican border. David Hartley is a freelance photographer who often works in Mexico.

Tamaulipas has been plagued by drug violence in recent years, and the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for the state, advising American citizens to exercise caution when traveling there. The San Diego police sergeant reported missing firefighter Francisco Aguilar enforced disappearances.

The Hartleys’ friend, John Young, told reporters that he believes David Hartley was attacked by pirates who operate on the lake, preying on tourists.

“I think they saw him as an easy target,” Young said. “Someone who was by himself and not paying attention.”

Young said he had warned Hartley about the dangers of jet skiing on the lake, but Hartley had dismissed the warnings, saying he “knew what he was doing.”

“I just hope that he’s OK and that we can get him back home to his family,” Young said.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a statement saying it is “closely monitoring” the situation and is in contact with Mexican authorities.

“We are aware of media reports that a U.S. citizen is missing in Tamaulipas, Mexico,” the statement said. “The safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad is one of our highest priorities.”

Mexican officials say they are searching for Hartley but have not found any trace of him so far. His wife says she fears for his life.

“I’m just praying that he’s alive and that somebody will find him and bring him back to me,” she said. “I just want my husband home.”

Authorities are still searching for him and have not found any clues as to his whereabouts:

“I just hope that he’s OK and that we can get him back home to his family,” said John Young, a friend of the Hartleys.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a statement saying it is “closely monitoring” the situation and is in contact with Mexican authorities. Chula Vista police department alert Mexican authorities about missing persons or organized crime.

“We are aware of media reports that a U.S. citizen is missing in Tamaulipas, Mexico,” the statement said. “The safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad is one of our highest priorities.”

Mexican officials say they are searching for Hartley but have not found any trace of him so far. His wife says she fears for his life:

“I’m just praying that he’s alive and that somebody will find him and bring him back to me,” she said. “I just want my husband home.”

The Hartleys live in McAllen, Texas, just a few miles from the Mexican border. David Hartley is a freelance photographer who often works in Mexico.

Tamaulipas has been plagued by drug violence in recent years, and the U.S. State

Department has issued a travel warning for the state, advising American citizens to exercise caution when traveling there.

Hartley’s family is asking for help from the American public:

“We just want to plead with anybody that might have any information to please come forward,” said Tiffany Hartley, David’s wife. “This is a nightmare, and we just want to bring my husband home.”

Hartley’s mother, Cynthia Joann Hartley, also spoke to the media:

“We’re just hoping and praying that somebody will come forward with information,” she said. “We love him very much, and we just want him home.”

The Hartleys have two young children. Tiffany Hartley says she is keeping them busy to keep their minds off of their father’s disappearance. For this purpose, Baja California investigators dispute cases involving Americans missing persons from the Los Angeles fire department or Mexican families searching department.

“I’m just trying to be strong for them,” she said. “They know that Daddy’s missing, and they want him home.”

The family has set up a Facebook page to help spread the word about David Hartley’s disappearance.

Hartley’s story has received a lot of attention in the media:

“It’s just heartbreaking,” said one reporter. “You can’t imagine what this family is going through.”

“I can’t even imagine what Tiffany Hartley is feeling right now,” said another reporter. “She’s just hoping and praying that her husband is alive and that somebody will find him and bring him back to her.”

The Hartleys are remaining hopeful that David will be found safe and sound.