Police on the streets of Medellín.NATALIA PEDRAZA BRAVO

29 tourist deaths trigger alarm bells in Medellín 

In 2024, there has been one death every 6 days in the Colombian city, compared to one every 10 days in 2023. At least half of those killed have been Americans

29 muertes de turistas encienden las alarmas en Medellín

Jules Ownby
Bogotá, 24 June 2024

On Thursday morning, Matthew Watson Croulet got into a cab in Medellín. He was disoriented, remembering nothing but the name of his hotel, according to the police report. The driver took him to the tourist neighborhood of El Poblado and dropped him off. When the 25-year-old American entered his hotel, the staff noted that he looked drugged. It was clear he was not well. Concerned, they called an ambulance. Watson, meanwhile, went up to his room where he was found dead at 9.25 am.