Jordan Saunders
11-5-2010
1:25 p.m.
Mexico has had a large issue with drug cartel violence over the past few years. But it seems to not get that much attention in the United States. The amount of cartel victims is increasing every year, which it seems that our society does not fear too much about since most of the victims are Mexican citizens. Since the year 2006 more than 28,000 lives have been taken by these acts of violence. Earlier this week recently widowed Colorado native Tiffany Hartley made an appearance on “The Today Show” for the second time, and also appeared on Dr. Phil’s television show in reference to the killing of her late husband David Hartley. David Hartley was numbered the 54th U.S. citizen to be killed this year in relations to the violence of drug cartels. The Hartley’s were married for 8 years, and were currently beginning to plan a family. The couple had a lot of experience traveling around Mexico and other countries around the world over the course of their marriage. The Hartley’s site seeing and traveling ended on September 30, 2010. The Hartley’s were making one last trip to Falcon Lake in Mexico before moving back to Colorado, after living in Texas for awhile. While on their jet skis the couple stopped to take pictures on an old deteriorating church, they began to be chased by armed gunman. During their attempt to escape the gunman David Hartley was shot in the head. The gunman left, and as Tiffany Hartley held on to her husband’s live jacket the gunman returned. She pleaded to not shoot, and they left again. Soon after, they returned this time firing their weapons again. Tiffany was forced to leave her husband and save her own life. The gunmen have not been caught and authorities have not found the missing body of David Hartley. Although Tiffany Hartley was able to escape the situation twice, she still feels the need to fight back and speak openly about this ongoing issue of drug cartel violence in Mexico. In an interview she stated, “People in America need to know what’s happening in our backyard”. Tiffany feels that with her exposure she can speak up for not only herself and her family, but also other victims who are too afraid or threaten to voice their opinion.
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