Colombian Tourist Dies from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Mexico City Airbnb
Mexico City, September 22 – Nataly Osma Pinilla, a 29-year-old Colombian national, tragically died on September 16, 2026, in a short-term rental apartment in the Tabacalera neighborhood of Mexico City. The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office (FGJ) has confirmed that the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, ruling out initial hypotheses of food poisoning and aspiration.
The Trip and the Tabacalera Accommodation
Osma arrived in the Mexican capital days earlier with her companion, Laura Zapata Ríos, to celebrate Mexico’s national holidays. They had rented the apartment in the Tabacalera neighborhood, a popular tourist area in the Cuauhtémoc borough, through a digital platform (Airbnb). Records indicate they had occupied the apartment since before September 15.
A Dinner and Initial Suspicions
On the evening of September 15, the two women explored the city, including a stop at a Mr. Sushi restaurant in Reforma 222 plaza. Upon returning to their apartment, both began to feel unwell, experiencing vomiting. This led authorities to initially suspect food poisoning from the sushi. This hypothesis was the primary line of investigation for several days, but subsequent forensic studies disproved it.
Discovery of the Body
On the morning of September 16, Zapata entered the room to check on her friend and found Osma lifeless on the bed. Early reports noted biological fluid around the body, leading to the initial suggestion of aspiration as the cause of death. There were no visible injuries or signs of violence on the body. Authorities also ruled out robbery, as the victim’s belongings were found intact. An investigation was launched, and the FGJ began forensic procedures on the body and the premises.
Investigation Shifts to Carbon Monoxide
Forensic studies by the FGJ definitively ruled out both aspiration and food poisoning. Nataly Osma’s death was determined to be caused by carbon monoxide inhalation during the night. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that displaces oxygen in the blood, directly affecting the brain and heart. The malaise and vomiting experienced by both women hours earlier, initially attributed to the sushi, were consistent with early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide inhalation include headache, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Prolonged exposure or high concentrations can lead to shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, seizures, coma, and cardiorespiratory arrest.
Building Review and Ongoing Investigation
Following the autopsy’s confirmation, a new line of investigation has been opened to determine responsibility. Mexican authorities are conducting a technical review of the building where the Airbnb apartment was located. The objective is to ascertain if gas installations in the building could have exposed the two women to carbon monoxide during their stay. Ministerial agents are continuing with corresponding expert examinations at the residence in the Cuauhtémoc borough.
This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of safety measures in rental accommodations, particularly regarding gas installations and carbon monoxide detection. Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
