Mexican investigators say they can't locate a former "Survivor" producer to question him about the death of his wife in this Caribbean resort city.
Bruce Beresford-Redman hasn't been charged in the case, but his passport was confiscated and he was ordered not to leave Mexico after his wife's body was found in a sewer at the Moon Palace Resort on April 8. Police described him as a suspect.
Rodolfo Garcia, deputy attorney general for Quintana Roo state, said Friday that investigators had tried twice to summon the television producer for questioning but could not locate him.
Investigators asked the U.S. consulate in Merida, another city on the Yucatan peninsula, to "present" Beresford-Redman but were told he was not in the custody of the diplomatic mission, Garcia said.
It was unclear if Mexican authorities made any other efforts to locate Beresford-Redman.
Mexican authorities had previously identified Eutiquio Salas as a lawyer for Beresford-Redman, but Salas said Saturday he was not representing the producer.
The family of the victim, Monica Beresford-Redman, strongly criticized Mexican investigators earlier this month, saying it had taken too long to make an arrest. They expressed concern Bruce Beresford-Redman might flee Mexico or the case could fall apart if too much time passes.
In a statement released Saturday night in California, the family said its worst fears had been realized with Mexico's "only suspect" going missing.
"We beg of the Mexican authorities to accept the assistance that has been offered to them by the FBI. Monica Burgos is an American citizen who was murdered over one month ago in Mexico and she deserves justice," the family said.
Mexican authorities have said they are awaiting the results of forensics tests and won't be swayed by pressure from the family.
Investigators say the victim's body showed signs of asphyxiation and evidence of a heavy blow to the right temple.
Prosecutors say Beresford-Redman reported his wife missing two days before her body was found. Investigators say the producer told police he last saw her when she left the exclusive resort to go shopping and never returned.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City referred calls seeking comment to the State Department in Washington. A State Department official said he did not immediately have information.