Canadian Woman Found Dead in Mexico

A Canadian woman was discovered dead at a resort in Mexico a day after she arrived with her boyfriend for vacation.

According to Fox News, a day before she was discovered dead, Kiara Agnew, 25, and her boyfriend, Ryan Friesen, 26, arrived at the Grand Sunset Princess Resort in Playa del Carmen on March 2.

Local police tweeted that "a lifeless woman was found with possible marks of violence in a hotel located in the Xcalacoco neighbourhood" on March 3 and immediately arrested a man.

Canada's Global Affairs office confirmed to the Toronto Star that it was Friesen who was taken into custody following the death of the Canadian woman.

"Officials are providing consular assistance to the families and are in contact with local authorities," said Global Affairs spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod. She added that no other information could be provided due to privacy considerations.

The Quintana Roo prosecutor's office announced on Twitter that an investigation was launched into a "foreign person arrested for his probable participation" in killing the Canadian woman in a Riviera Maya hotel.

Agnew's aunt Katlyn Levesque told the Toronto Star that her niece had been looking forward to this trip for quite a while.

Canadian Woman Celebrating Her Birthday in Mexico

Kiara Agnew was from the Dawson Creek community in northeastern British Columbia. She reportedly traveled to Mexico with her boyfriend to celebrate her upcoming 24th birthday.

"I didn't want it to be true - I still don't want it to be true," Katlyn Levesque told CBC News. Agnew was an employee at the Dawson Creek branch of the Lake View Credit Union.

"All at Lake View Credit Union are mourning the loss of our teammate and friend, Kiara Agnew," the credit union wrote in a Facebook post.

According to Levesque, the family is still awaiting the autopsy's findings to determine the cause of Agnew's death, The Independent reported.

Agnew liked to travel since she was a child, said her aunt, adding that her niece was excited about the trip, had a golden heart, and was vibrant and courageous.

Canadian Woman Found Dead Lying Next to Her Boyfriend

Resort workers discovered the Canadian woman and her boyfriend in a laundry room facility. His blood and her blood were on him, and there were visible injuries.

His fists were also "extremely swollen," according to Tanya Roberts, another aunt of Kiara Agnew. City News reported that Roberts also said her brother could only identify her niece through her tattoos.

Agnew's family is trying to raise money to fly her body back to Canada while the authorities continue investigating.

Robertz noted that Mexico wants US$6,000 upfront to release her body, US$10,000 for a flight to bring her back to Canada, and other fees once she arrives, including the funeral cost.

"So it's terrible to have to think about money and funding at a time like this, but certainly, the people of Canada have taken that burden away from us," she told the outlet.

She added: "Our focus is getting our girl home, and after that, we will need our privacy, but right now, it's all hands on deck to get her home."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Canadian Man Arrested After Death of B.C. Woman in Mexico - From CBC News