Family of TV producer’s slain wife blasts investigation in Mexico for taking too long

Family of woman slain in Mexico criticize inquiry

LOS ANGELES — The family of a former “Survivor” producer’s wife who was found slain in Mexico blasted investigators on Friday, saying it was taking too long to make an arrest.

The criticism came nearly a month after the body of Monica Beresford-Redman was discovered in a sewer in a resort in Cancun.

“I’m a mother, I’m a lawyer, and I don’t understand the justice in Mexico,” Ely Burgos said in Portuguese with her daughter Jeane Burgos interpreting. “But I really want to know what’s happening.”

The Burgos family criticized Mexican authorities for not arresting TV producer Bruce Beresford-Redman, who has not been charged but was barred from leaving Mexico after his wife was found dead.

Attorney Eutiquio Salas, who represents Bruce Beresford-Redman, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Mexican authorities said they were awaiting the results of forensics tests and wouldn’t be swayed by the family’s remarks.

Francisco Alor, attorney general for Quintana Roo state, where Cancun is located, said he understood the family’s pain and frustration but stressed the investigation was sensitive and could not be conducted under outside pressure.

“It’s a family who has been hurt by the death of their sister and of course we respect their attitude,” Alar said. “We have to act carefully to avoid making mistakes and have all the necessary elements to make a decision.”

Wearing T-shirts saying “Justice for Monica,” the Burgos family spoke at a Los Angeles restaurant owned by Monica Beresford-Redman.

They said they were concerned that Bruce Beresford-Redman might flee Mexico or the case could fall apart because so much time had passed. Mexican investigators should also accept help from U.S. authorities, they said.

Their attorney Alison Triessl said investigators have told the family little about the investigation. She said the family was considering paying for a second autopsy to glean more answers and evidence.

Carla Burgos, another sister, said investigators told her on a recent trip to Cancun that they had enough evidence but weren’t focusing then on a motive.

Triessl said motive was important and should be taken into account.

In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Carla Burgos and her sister Jeane said Bruce Beresford-Redman had been having a long-term affair.

He and his wife traveled to Mexico to try to repair their marriage, the sisters said at the time.

AP contributor Gabriel Alcocer in Cancun, Mexico, provided material for this story.