Baddeck, N.S., couple found dead in Mexican hotel

The bodies of a Canadian couplehave been found at a hotel in Mexico's Mayan Riviera, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Department in Ottawa confirms to CBC News.

"Canadian consular officials in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to the family and friends," Franois Lasalle wrote in an email.

The couple have been identified as CharlesMacKenzie and his wife, Dorothy, of Baddeck, N.S. They were in Mexico to attend their daughter's wedding, which was due to take place Thursday, a family friend told CBC News. The bodies were found on Monday.

The Associated Press, quoting an official in the prosecutors' office, said the couple was found dead at the PlayacarPalace Hotelnear the resort city of Playa Del Carmen. The official, who is not authorized to be quoted by name, said the couple was found dead in a whirlpool spa.

The AP quoted the official as saying there were no signs of violenceand that autopsiesindicated the man died of a heart attack and the woman died ofasphyxia by submersion.

She said the deaths appeared to be accidental and linked,suggesting the man's heart attack may have somehow caused the womanto drown.

A spokesman for the hoteltold the Canadian Press the deaths are still under investigation.

David Rubeo dismissed earlier media reports that suggested thecouple had been electrocuted in the hot tub of their room.

"The room was perfectly fine. All the equipment was workingperfectly," he told The Canadian Press. "What the family mentionedwas a heart attack."

Rubeo said the couple's family was still staying at the hotel andwas being assisted by hotel staff.

"We are treating them as our own family," he said, noting thatstaff were helping the Canadians deal with local authorities.

"All the group is very calm, in the best way they can be."