A vacation for a Colombian family ended in tragedy when they were found dead in their hotel room in San Andrés, Colombia, after requesting a room change due to a persistent foul odor.
The bodies of Tito Nelson Martínez Hernández, Viviana Andrea Canro Zuluaga, and their four-year-old son Kevin Matías Martínez Canro were discovered on Friday morning, July 11, 2025, at the Portobelo Convention Hotel in San Andrés. The family, originally from Bogotá, had traveled to celebrate Father’s Day and Mother’s Day with Viviana’s parents, who were staying in another room.
Orlando Canro, Viviana’s father, discovered the bodies when he went to deliver coffee to their room. After receiving no response from his knocks, he sought help from the hotel staff. Initially, access was denied, but eventually, a female employee accompanied Orlando into the room.
Inside, Orlando found his daughter Viviana lying naked on the floor, while Tito and Kevin were on the bed. “What I saw the moment I walked through that door was horrifying,” Orlando told local media.
The family had problems with their accommodation from the start. Viviana had complained about a strong smell in their room from the first night and requested a room change. Hotel management initially denied any issue and refused to relocate them, despite Viviana’s continued requests.
In audio messages that Viviana sent to her daughter before her death, she expressed dissatisfaction with the hotel, describing it as moldy with a pungent smell and lacking basic amenities.
The family had saved money for over a year for this vacation as a gift to Orlando and his wife. Viviana owned a beauty salon, while Tito managed a school transportation route.
Colonel James Evelio Totena Girón, commander of the San Andrés Police Department, stated that preliminary autopsy results suggested “generic intoxication” as the cause of death, with further tests pending.
Authorities ruled out foul play, as there were no signs of violence on the bodies. The investigation is focusing on potential poisoning from airborne toxins or ingested substances. Colonel Totena mentioned that the family shared a meal and alcohol in their room before their deaths.
Orlando Canro noted a strong gas-like odor on the victims’ clothing, which is being analyzed for traces of toxic gases. Clothing samples are under examination to determine if a gas leak was involved.
The hotel released a statement expressing condolences and confirmed its cooperation with the authorities. It was disclosed that the room may have been fumigated by Livingston & Company, which has serviced the hotel since 2012.
Preliminary autopsy results for Kevin showed no signs of ingesting foreign substances, according to his grandfather. The child had vomited shortly after arriving at the hotel.
The investigation faced initial confusion about the hotel location. Some reports suggested the family stayed at Toné 2 hotel, but reservation records confirmed their stay at Portobelo Convention.
The case has gained significant attention in Colombia, with the National Prosecutor’s Office and Criminal Investigation Directorate leading the investigation. Authorities are analyzing food samples and other evidence from the room.
Orlando Canro is committed to finding answers about the incident. He plans to take some belongings for independent analysis in Bogotá, while the medical examiner’s office has sent samples to specialized laboratories.
