A California couple said they rushed toward the water after hearing screams near a Puerto Vallarta resort.
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — Tourists who witnessed a deadly crocodile attack near a Puerto Vallarta resort said they tried to reach a 28-year-old man before he vanished underwater Friday evening.
The attack near Marina Vallarta Beach has brought new attention to warning signs, beach patrols and safety steps in a resort zone where crocodiles can move through nearby coastal waters, river mouths and mangrove areas.
Jamie Yetter, her fiancé, Chris Bury, and her teenage daughter were at a hotel pool when they heard screams from the beach. Yetter said they first believed the man was caught in a rip current. Bury ran toward the water, found a kayak and headed out without paddles as others looked for anything that might help.
Bury said he tried to throw a life preserver toward the man but could not get him to grab it. He said the man appeared to be in shock. Moments later, the crocodile pulled him under. The victim, who authorities said was from Mexico, was not seen alive again. Jalisco state police said his body was recovered early Saturday after more than 12 hours in the water.
The attack happened near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa at about 6 p.m. Friday, according to police. Authorities said the man was on the beach when the crocodile attacked and dragged him into the sea. Search teams later found his body about 300 meters offshore. A crocodile was located near Boca de Tomates, a coastal area north of the hotel zone.
Yetter later questioned whether visitors had enough warning about the danger. She said she expected the beach to be closed the next morning but found it open. The resort said it had proper signs, red flags and night patrols in place, and that staff are trained to respond to safety matters. The hotel said it was supporting those affected under its policies.
Crocodile attacks in Puerto Vallarta are rare but not without precedent. In 2022, two tourists from Colorado were bitten by a crocodile in the area. Local officials have pointed to estuaries, mangroves and river mouths as places where crocodiles are known to be present.
Police have not released the victim’s full name or said whether any agency will issue a formal report on the response. As of Monday, no charges had been announced, and officials had not reported any additional injuries from the Friday attack.
Author note: Last updated June 29, 2026.