Mexican Pirates Shoot David Hartley: Body Still Not Recovered

by Amy Judd | October 7, 2010 at 02:27 pm

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David Michael Hartley's Body is Still on the Mexican Side of Falcon Lake After His Wife Tiffany Said Her Husband Was Shot and Killed By Mexican Pirates

Mexican officials have expressed doubts over the validity of Tiffany Hartley's story, but a Texas sheriff said on Thursday that he has sent a message to the Zetas drug cartel - all they want in David Michael Hartley's body back.

David Michael Hartley Feared Dead

As the alleged shooting happened on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake, United States authorities cannot make any arrests or prosecute. The Mexican police are conducting a search on their side, but have yet to find a body.

According to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, 60 Mexican personnel, three boats and a helicopter took part in the search for 30-year-old David Hartley, who according to his wife was shot in the head last week while they were riding personal watercraft on Falcon Lake.

Those taking part in the search say they have received death threats, but are still searching for the body.

KRGV conducted an interview with Tiffany Hartley, who said that her husband was her life, and could not believe some were doubting her story. She also said her and her family thought that Mexican authorities were not doing enough to find her husband's body.

"It's very frustrating. I knew when I left him I may never see him again. I knew that might be a possibility and God I hope not. I mean I'll see him in Heaven, but we would like to be able to have his body back and properly say our goodbyes," says Hartley.

David Hartley was jet skiing with his wife on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake when he was reportedly shot in the head by Mexican pirates. His wife Tiffany Hartley tried to save him, but had to retreat back to American waters when she heard bullets whizzing by her.

It is thought that the couple were on the Mexican side to take pictures of a famous church in Old Guerrero and were on their way back when they saw the armed gunmen on boats. It is thought that one of the boats strayed briefly into U.S. waters when it was trying to run down Mrs Hartley.

The gunmen are suspected to be Mexican pirates, whose activity on Falcon Lake, which spans the U.S. and Mexico border, has increased over the past year. There have not been any shootings in 2010 however, and it is not known why the pirates fired at Mr. Hartley and his wife.