Second American falls fatally off edge at Rosarito resort, angering families

Another American tourist has died after falling from a third-floor ledge at the same Mexican beach hotel where Orange County Deputy Public Defender Elliot Blair suffered a fatal fall in January 2023.

Joshua Palmer, 41, of Lodi, accidentally fell from an outdoor walkway at the Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Rosarito on Tuesday, October 29, in a manner reminds me of Blair, which also fell from a third-floor ledge, according to police. A Mexican newspaper said Palmer died after being taken to a nearby hospital.

The deaths of Blair and Palmer led to accusations of negligence from their families on the part of the popular resort.

“The news of Joshua’s death… opens the wounds of the loss of my beloved husband, Elliot, and shakes my heart,” said Kimberly Williams Blair, who is also a deputy public defender. “How many more American tourists have to die or be seriously injured before something is done to stop this? It is too late for America’s Las Rocas Resort and Spa to take responsibility and do anything to prevent these tragedies that continue to occur on their property.”

Resort Las Rocas did not respond to two emails seeking comment.

Elliot Blair was 33 years old and celebrating his first wedding anniversary found dead under the open walkway outside his hotel room, 308, on January 14, 2023. Mexican authorities said the fall was alcohol-related and classified it as an unfortunate accident.

Kimberly Blair and her family suspect so brutally murdered, but they resign themselves to the fact that they will never know for sure. Part of their distrust stems from a the couple’s disappointment by Rosarito police during a traffic stop just hours before Blair’s death.

Mexican autopsy Photos show abrasions on Blair’s legs, as if he had been dragged away. In addition, Blair had 40 fractures to the back of his skull, which family members say is disturbing because he was found face down.

According to ex-wife Kris Palmer, Palmer’s death, on the other hand, appears to be an accident. She said Joshua Palmer was talking to a friend while walking down a hotel hallway when he fell backwards over the edge near his room, 307, Kris Palmer said.

She wondered why there were no guardrails and why the small barrier wasn’t higher, especially after Elliot Blair’s death.

“These are deaths that should never have happened,” Kris Palmer said. “There’s no railing, it’s less than half a wall.”

Joshua Palmer, a world-traveled tattoo artist known for his freehand style, was in Southern California for a job and decided to take a quick trip to Rosarito. His ex-wife said he loved the resort and had been there several times.

Palmer was described as a free soul, a dreamer who “had more dreams and plans.” He took long motorcycle rides and was a martial arts enthusiast who practiced jujitsu with his two teenage sons, Wesley and Dean. He was an open book, his ex-wife said.

“If you knew Josh, you felt like you KNEW Josh,” Kris Palmer said. ‘He just wanted to live, so it’s really not fair. There was so much life in him.”

Just like in the case of Elliot Blair, Joshua Palmer’s family is in disarray Mexican red tapein an attempt to retrieve his body and bring it home. They founded one GoFundMe page, seeking donations to help with the effort. As of Friday afternoon, $48,739 in donations had been received, surpassing the $10,000 goal.

Originally published: Nov 1, 2024 at 5:07 PM PDT