{"id":8717906,"date":"2023-01-17T04:37:55","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T12:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8717906&preview=true&preview_id=8717906"},"modified":"2023-01-17T05:27:05","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T13:27:05","slug":"oc-public-defender-died-in-unfortunate-accident-mexican-authorities-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/17\/oc-public-defender-died-in-unfortunate-accident-mexican-authorities-say\/","title":{"rendered":"California public defender died in \u2018unfortunate accident,\u2019 Mexican authorities say"},"content":{"rendered":"

The death of an Orange County deputy public defender at a Mexican beach resort<\/a> last weekend appeared to be an \u201cunfortunate accident,\u201d authorities in Baja California said Monday, Jan. 16.<\/p>\n

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 \u201ctragically killed\u201d and the victim of a \u201cbrutal crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, after an autopsy, officials at Baja California\u2019s Attorney General\u2019s Office said the death appeared to be the \u201cresult of an unfortunate accident from a fall by the now deceased from a third-story floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a brief three-paragraph statement, Mexican authorities said they are investigating Blair\u2019s death and are in contact with American authorities through the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI, which in turn is informing Blair\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

David Scarsone, an attorney hired by Blair\u2019s family, said they continue to be skeptical<\/a> that he just fell off the balcony and will do their own investigation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many unanswered questions,\u201d Scarsone said. \u201c(The family) is pushing back on that conclusion (by Mexican authorities).\u201d<\/p>\n

Blair and his wife, Kimberly Williams \u2013 also a deputy public defender \u2013 were at the resort celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary.<\/p>\n

Blair was known for his friendly nature and his intelligence. \u201cElliot was known for a smile on his face and his clever mind,\u201d said the GoFundMe page organized in Blair\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n

Blair would now be with his father, Tom, who died two years ago, it added.<\/p>\n

\u201cElliot and Tom were thick as thieves,\u201d it said. \u201cThey spent countless hours together in the garage working on cars, dirt bikes, and dune buggies.\u201d<\/p>\n