Witnesses said they tried to rescue the swimmer before he disappeared beneath the water.
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — A 28-year-old man was killed Friday evening after a crocodile attacked him near Marina Vallarta Beach in Puerto Vallarta, authorities and witnesses said.
The attack drew alarm in one of Mexico’s best-known Pacific resort cities, where hotels, beaches, a marina and mangrove areas sit close together. The victim was identified in local and international reports as Irving Mauricio, a visitor from Mexico City. Officials said emergency crews searched through the night before recovering his body the next morning.
The attack happened about 6:30 p.m. near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa, where beachgoers heard screams from the water. At first, witnesses thought the man had been caught in a strong current. Jamie Yetter and her fiancé, Chris Bury, tourists from California, said they ran toward the beach after hearing the cries. Bury entered the water with a kayak that had no oars, while others tried to throw a life preserver toward the man. The rescue attempt failed when the crocodile pulled the swimmer under.
Witnesses said the animal appeared to have grabbed the man by the leg or thigh and dragged him underwater more than once. The water was dark, and those nearby could not keep sight of him. Emergency responders later searched the shoreline and nearby waters. The man’s body was found about 12 hours after the attack, and authorities said the crocodile was later captured near Boca de Tomates, an area north of Marina Vallarta known for mangroves and crocodile habitat.
Local officials described the death as an unusual and isolated event but said patrols would be increased in some areas. Warning signs in the beach zone mention crocodiles and other marine hazards, though some visitors said they did not see strong warnings before the attack. The beach was not immediately closed the next morning, according to witnesses. Authorities have not released a full investigative report, and it was not immediately clear whether new barriers, signs or beach restrictions would be added.
Crocodiles live in parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast, especially near estuaries, rivers and mangroves where fresh and salt water meet. Puerto Vallarta has reported crocodile sightings and past attacks, including incidents involving tourists in recent years. Wildlife experts say the reptiles can move between lagoons, river mouths and coastal waters, especially near feeding and nesting areas. Officials have warned residents and visitors to be cautious near mangroves and river outlets, where crocodiles are more likely to appear.
No charges had been announced in the case as of Tuesday. Officials were expected to continue reviewing what happened, including the response by emergency crews and conditions at the beach. The hotel had not issued a detailed public statement in available reports. The victim’s family mourned him online, with his mother, Claudia Mauricio, writing that she was heartbroken by the loss of her son.
Beachgoers who saw the attack described the scene as chaotic and traumatic. Yetter said she and Bury first believed they were watching a drowning and only later realized a crocodile was involved. Their account matched reports from other witnesses who said the man struggled as people shouted from shore and tried to reach him. By the time rescuers arrived, he had disappeared beneath the surface.
The investigation remains open, and local authorities have said they will keep monitoring crocodile activity near Marina Vallarta and nearby beach areas.
Author note: Last updated June 30, 2026.