Yoncalla man drowned in own blood in Mexican jail

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — A Mexican prosecutor says an Oregon tourist from Yoncalla drowned in his own blood while in police custody last week.

Sam Botner was arrested Aug. 27 in the resort town of San Jose del Cabo and was later found dead in a jail cell. Prosecutors say a surveillance video shows officers beating Botner.

In an interview Thursday with The Associated Press, state prosecutor Fernando Gonzalez said Botner suffered a ruptured spleen and then died of asphyxiation after internal bleeding blocked his airway.

Six police officers are under house arrest in the death. Prosecutors have two weeks to determine whether they will bring charges in the case.

Botner was on vacation with his wife, Kym, when the incident occurred.

Family members of the father of three had already heard the man suffocated on his own blood.

Botner’s father, Nick Botner of Yoncalla, told The News-Review today that he has seen his son’s body.

“They beat him so bad,” he said. “… It was terrible. There’s no excuse for that kind of brutality.”

Nick Botner said he hopes the public will send a message to the Mexican government that the death of his son is unacceptable. He suggests sending e-mails or making phone calls to government officials.

“They’ve got to clean up their act,” he said.

A funeral has been scheduled for Sam Botner, a commercial fisherman and logger, for 2 p.m. Saturday at Yoncalla Assembly of God Church at 1008 Hayhurst Road.