Mexican authorities said the deaths of an Iowa family of four in a condo during their vacation was caused by a faulty water heater.
Principal investigator Christopher Martínez told the Des Moines Register they were poisoned by toxic gas emitting from a rusted water heater.
The family were staying in a rented condo at the luxury Tao Mexico vacation resort community near Akumal, and died from asphyxiation from propane inhalation.
"There was a leak, and it was coming right from the laundry room. The laundry room had no ventilation whatsoever," Martínez said.
The water heater was examined and found to be damaged most likely due to the humid climate, investigators said.
Police said again there was no evidence of foul play and Kevin and Amy Sharp, along with their children Sterling, and Adrianna likely died in their sleep.
They were totally relaxed like if you go to sleep and stay in one position," Martinez added.
"It’s the very first time that something like this has happened. We don’t have any reports of this before."
