March 7, 2023 - 2 Americans dead, 2 found alive in Mexico kidnapping

Latavia “Tay” Washington McGee, 33, drove to Mexico with Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown and Eric Williams, a close friend of Washington McGee who did not want to be identified told CNN. 

Washington McGee was heading to Matamoros, Mexico, for cosmetic surgery that was scheduled to take place on Friday, her friend said.

The group booked a hotel in Brownsville, Texas, and planned to drive into Matamoros for the surgery, according to the friend. 

She last heard from Washington McGee on Friday morning when she sent her a video message letting her know she had made it to Mexico.

But Washington McGee's family and friends became concerned on Saturday when they didn't hear from the group.

"Her other cousin, who previously went with her to Matamoros for the first procedure, made a post asking if anyone's heard from her,” Washington McGee’s friend told CNN.

She told CNN that when she spoke to Washington McGee's cousin, she became increasingly concerned when the cousin told her that the doctor's office had reached out to her asking about Washington McGee because she never made it to the surgery.

The group, which Washington McGee’s friend said are all from or near the Myrtle Beach area, drove from South Carolina to Brownsville and then into Matamoros.

Washington is the mother of six children ranging from ages 5 to 18, her friend added.

At least two press conferences are now expected in Mexico after four missing Americans were found — two dead and two alive.

The four Americans who authorities say were kidnapped in Mexico were located at what appears to be a medical clinic in the border city of Matamoros, a US official familiar with the ongoing investigation told CNN.

Two of the kidnapping victims were found alive, and two of them were found dead.

One of the two survivors is severely injured, a US official familiar with the ongoing investigation told CNN.

Latavia “Tay” Washington McGee, 33, drove to Mexico with Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown and their friend Eric Williams for the procedure, but she never made it to her doctor’s appointment on Friday, her mother Barbara Burgess told CNN.

On Sunday, Burgess said she was informed by the FBI that her daughter had been kidnapped and was in danger. “They said, if she calls me, to call them,” she said.

The group was fired upon by unidentified gunman and “placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men,” according to the FBI.

An innocent Mexican bystander was also killed in the encounter, US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said.

Investigators believe the Americans were targeted by a Mexican cartel that likely mistook them for Haitian drug smugglers, a US official familiar with the ongoing investigation tells CNN.

This trip was the second time Latavia "Tay" Washington McGee, a mother of six children, had gone to Mexico for a medical procedure, her mother Barbara Burgess said. About two to three years ago, Burgess said her daughter traveled to the country for a surgery.

Receipts found in the group’s vehicle indicated the Americans were in Mexico for medical procedures, a US official with knowledge of the investigation tells CNN.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday that the group had crossed the border to “buy medicines” and assured the “whole government” was working to resolve the case.

Mexico has become a particularly popular destination for “medical tourism,” attracting travelers who may be seeking cheaper alternatives or medical treatments that are unapproved or unavailable in the US. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  warns the growing trend can carry dangerous risks depending on the destination and facility, including infection and possible post-procedure complications.

Washington McGee drove to Mexico with Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown and their friend Eric Williams for the procedure, but she never made it to her doctor’s appointment on Friday, Burgess told CNN.

The group of missing Americans grew up together in South Carolina and were bonded “like glue,” Brown’s sister Zalandria Brown told CNN. She added that she and her brother are also close.

Two of the four Americans who authorities say were kidnapped in Mexico have been found dead, according to Tamaulipas Gov. Américo Villarreal Anaya. One of the two survivors has injuries, he said.

Tamaulipas Attorney General Irving Barrios also confirmed the deaths on Twitter.

Ambulances and security personnel are giving medical support to the survivors, the Tamaulipas governor said.