Texas Man Dies After Being Electrocuted in Hot Tub at Mexican Resort

In a tragic incident at a Mexican resort, a 43-year-old man from El Paso, Texas, lost his life after being electrocuted in a hot tub. The incident, which also left a woman critically injured, occurred on Tuesday evening at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco, a popular beach town on the Gulf of California.

The Sonora State Attorney General's Office reported that the man, identified as Jorge Guillen, and his wife, Lizette Zambrano, were enjoying the jacuzzi when they were suddenly subjected to an electric discharge. The electrocution happened around 8:30 p.m. in the pool area of a private condominium complex within the resort.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as onlookers screamed and attempted to revive the couple. Disturbing videos shared on social media show bystanders performing CPR on Guillen, who was lying on the ground near the hot tub. Despite their efforts, Guillen succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Zambrano, 35, was rushed to a hospital in the United States, where she remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Family members confirmed her identity and her critical state. A witness who tried to enter the jacuzzi to help the couple was also shocked, prompting her to call for assistance.

The Sonora State Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the electrical failure. Initial reports suggest that faulty wiring may have been the cause of the electrocution. Expert services personnel have been dispatched to the scene to investigate the origin of the electrical failure, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

The Sonoran Sea Resort, which features three beachfront swimming pools and both family and adult jacuzzis, is a popular destination for U.S. tourists, located approximately a four-hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Following the incident, the resort reportedly shut down all hot tubs in the complex as a precautionary measure.

Guillen and Zambrano, both of dual Mexican-American nationality, had traveled from El Paso for a vacation. Guillen was an evening student at Western Technical College, where he was pursuing a degree in refrigeration/HVAC technology. He was scheduled to graduate on Friday. Dr. Maxine Valencia, the school's president, expressed her condolences, recalling Guillen as an enthusiastic and passionate student.

Before attending college, Guillen had worked at the Otero County Processing Center as a detention guard between 2011 and 2018. The processing center expressed its sympathies to the family, acknowledging Guillen as a valued employee and friend.

Zambrano, a former teacher at the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso, is currently receiving treatment in Arizona for injuries consistent with electrocution. Friends and family have described her as a dedicated educator and a loving wife.

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support the grieving family. The fundraising page, which has raised nearly $40,000, asks for donations to cover the costs of transporting Guillen's body back to Texas and to help pay for Zambrano's medical expenses. The page describes Guillen as a man with a "heart of gold," always there for his family and friends, and highlights the deep love shared by the couple.

The Sonora attorney general's office is continuing its investigation into the incident. The resort's sales director, Jim Ringquist, expressed the company's deep sadness over the tragedy. He clarified that the company only develops the resorts and does not manage them after they are built. The property was turned over to the owners and homeowners in 2004.

This incident has drawn attention to the dangers of electrocution in hot tubs and jacuzzis, which can occur due to malfunctioning wiring that sends an electrical charge into the water. Between 2002 and 2018, there were 33 reported injuries and 33 fatalities caused by electrocutions from swimming pools and hot tubs in the United States, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Jorge Guillen and hopes for the recovery of Lizette Zambrano. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures and regular maintenance to prevent such accidents in recreational facilities.