A family vacation turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a Colombian family of three was discovered dead in their hotel room on the island of San Andrés, Colombia, after repeatedly asking staff to move them to a different room due to a persistent foul smell.
The bodies of Tito Nelson Martínez Hernández, his wife Viviana Andrea Canro Zuluaga, and their four-year-old son Kevin Matías Martínez Canro were found Friday morning, July 11, 2025, in their room at the Portobelo Convention Hotel in San Andrés. The family had traveled from Bogotá to celebrate Father’s Day and Mother’s Day with Viviana’s parents, Orlando and his wife, who were staying in a separate room.
Orlando Canro, Viviana’s father, made the heartbreaking discovery when he went to deliver coffee to the family’s room. After knocking repeatedly without response, he became concerned and approached the hotel front desk for assistance. Initially, hotel staff refused to provide access to the room, but eventually agreed to have a female employee escort Orlando inside.
What Orlando found inside the room was a scene that would haunt him forever. Viviana was discovered lying naked on the floor, while Tito and Kevin were found on the bed. Orlando immediately placed a blanket over his daughter’s body.
“What I saw the moment I walked through that door was horrifying,” Orlando told local media. “I was the first one into the room, and I saw the scene of my daughter lying on the floor and Nelson and my baby lying on the bed. This is a huge pain, and that scene is something I have never been able to erase from my mind, nor will I ever be able to erase.”
The family had been experiencing problems with their accommodation from the moment they arrived. According to Orlando, Viviana had complained about a strong odor in their room from the first night and had requested a room change. Hotel management initially denied there was any smell and refused to relocate the family, despite Viviana’s continued insistence.
During a radio interview, Orlando explained that his daughter had asked to switch rooms on the very first night because she noticed an unpleasant odor. He stated that they spoke to management about it, but were told there was no smell. Orlando added that his daughter continued to insist on changing rooms until the incident occurred.
Audio messages that Viviana sent to her daughter before her death revealed her deep dissatisfaction with the hotel conditions. In the messages, she described the hotel as extremely moldy with a strong smell, lacking basic amenities like toilet paper, towels, and proper cleaning.
The young family had been saving money for over a year to afford this vacation as a gift to Orlando and his wife. Viviana worked as a beauty salon owner, while Tito operated a school transportation route. The trip was meant to be a celebration of their hard work and dedication to family.
Colonel James Evelio Totena Girón, commander of the San Andrés Police Department, confirmed that preliminary autopsy results indicated the family died from what he described as “generic intoxication.” However, he emphasized that comprehensive pathology tests were still pending to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities have ruled out foul play, as none of the bodies showed signs of violence. The investigation is focusing on potential poisoning, either through airborne toxins or ingested substances. Colonel Totena noted that the family had shared a meal and alcoholic beverages in their room hours before their deaths, and that one of the victims had managed to reach the bathroom and vomited.
A crucial piece of evidence has emerged from the investigation. Orlando Canro revealed that the clothing removed from the victims still carries a strong gas-like odor, which he has preserved as potential evidence. The clothing samples are being analyzed for traces of carbon monoxide or other toxic gases that could confirm or rule out a gas leak as the cause of death.
The hotel has since released multiple statements expressing condolences and confirming their cooperation with authorities. In a recent development, the establishment revealed that the room may have been fumigated with chemicals by an external company called Livingston & Company, which has provided fumigation services to the hotel since 2012.
The Portobelo Convention Hotel stated in their official communication: “From the very beginning, we have met with the family members in person, providing constant support and arranging all the necessary support during this difficult time. We are deeply saddened by what happened, and our team is committed to addressing each of their needs with respect, sensitivity, and willingness.”
Adding to the family’s anguish, preliminary autopsy results for four-year-old Kevin showed no signs of ingesting foreign substances, according to his grandfather’s reports. The child had begun vomiting shortly after arriving at the hotel, which his mother had mentioned in a phone call to her daughter back in Bogotá.
The investigation has been complicated by initial confusion about which hotel the family was actually staying at, with some reports suggesting they were at the Toné 2 hotel rather than the Portobelo Convention. However, reservation records show that Viviana and her family had booked their stay at the Portobelo Convention in October 2024, while her parents had reserved at the adjacent Toné 2 building in March 2025.
The case has drawn significant attention across Colombia, with the National Prosecutor’s Office and Criminal Investigation Directorate leading the investigation. Authorities have collected food samples and other evidence from the room while continuing to analyze the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Orlando Canro remains determined to find answers about what happened to his family. He has expressed his intention to take some of the victims’ belongings to Bogotá for independent analysis, hoping to uncover the truth behind this devastating incident. The medical examiner’s office has sent additional samples to specialized laboratories as the investigation continues.
