Teachers and business owner who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at Mexico City Airbnb brought light to those around them, families say
A Mexican teacher and student who died in a carbon monoxide gas poisoning on a weekend night while staying in a private home in Mexico City’s upscale Colonia Roma neighborhood are being remembered Sunday.
The two teachers and a 17-year-old student were staying at an Airbnb, owned by Silvia Ocampo, when they died on Feb. 12 in a room with no air conditioning.
The couple, who had just returned from a weekend trip to the United States, had been enjoying a night in an apartment in the neighborhood in the capital of the northern state of Veracruz, when they left for the final time, according to family members.
“This is a tragedy not only for them but also for the other people in this area. They were just people like us,” said Guadalupe Gomez, a cousin of the victims.
A source of light for families in the community, the Airbnb owners in the home where the two teachers stayed opened their home to neighbors for the night, allowing their guests to stay for free and to bring their pets to the home.
Family members of those killed, who had organized a funeral for the deceased teacher, said the experience of using the Airbnb was similar to the kindness of neighborly hosts.
“When the Airbnb owners saw they were coming back they gave us a discount for the last two days because we had such a good vibe. They gave us a small gift from the Airbnb owners. They helped us find ways to get more work,” said a relative of the victim, who did not wish to be named.
Another relative said the Airbnb hosts did much more than just provide lodging but also worked to help their neighbors feel safe.
“They gave us the opportunity to take some classes, and they put in the electricity so we could study there, and they were always there for us and always wanted us to be there. They had a plan of doing something good for us and they did it,” said the relative.
On Friday, dozens lined the streets