The American tourist who died after being electrocuted while relaxing in a hot tub with his wife in Mexico on Tuesday has been remembered for his “kind heart” and was due to graduate from college on Friday.
Jorge Guillen, of El Paso, Texas, was identified by local media Thursday as the victim of the freak accident at the Sonoran Sea Resort, a private beach resort in Puerto Peñasco.
His wife, Lizette Zambrano, 35, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a hospital in the United States, local authorities said.
Videos posted on social media showed people gathering around a hot tub as they rushed to help the couple, who have Mexican-American dual citizenship. The Associated Press reported.
“Jorge was a kind-hearted man who was always there for his family and friends,” friends of the family wrote on the fundraising page. “The love they shared was everlasting.”
A GoFundMe account has raised nearly $40,000 for the grieving family.
Guillen was a night student at Western Technical College studying refrigeration and air conditioning and was scheduled to attend his graduation ceremony on Friday, the school said. According to KTSM.
“Anyone who knew George knows he was passionate. He was passionate, he loved HVAC,” said Dr. Maxine Valencia, the school’s president. He told KFOX14.
“He was a real family man. Definitely a very respectable, professional young man.”
“It’s hard because he’s a part of our family,” she added.
A moment of silence is planned at Friday’s ceremony, and classmates are expected to tell their fellow graduates what kind of person he was.
Guillen worked as a detention guard at the Otero County Processing Center from 2011 to 2018, KTSM reported.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Guillen, a wonderful employee and friend,” the processing center said.
“Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Zambrano is currently in Arizona being treated for burns caused by electrical shock. The El Paso Times reported: Citing a friend.
The newspaper said she was a former teacher who worked in the El Paso school system.
Meanwhile, Sonoran Resorts Inc. sales manager Jim Ringquist said Thursday that the company is “devastated by the recent tragedy at Sonoran Resorts.” According to CBS News.
He said he works for the developer of Sonoran Resort, but the company doesn’t manage the condominiums after they’re built.
He said the land was handed over to the owners and homeowners in 2004.
The Sonora state prosecutor’s office said authorities were investigating what caused the deadly incident.
