Friday, February 27, 2026

Baja search focuses on mystery couple who gave missing man a ride

The search for a United States citizen missing in Baja California Sur since December 18 is now focusing on locating a couple who gave him a ride near Todos Santos.

Mexican authorities and Mexican and U.S. volunteers have spent almost a month looking for Max Watson, 28, of Hood River, Oregon.

He was last seen by a rancher when Watson parked his van at the ranch before getting into a gray or silver car in which a Caucasian couple were traveling on or about December 18.

The ranch is located about five kilometers from the La Burrera trailhead to the Sierra de Laguna mountains, an area that has already been searched extensively, according to Wiley Watson, the missing man’s brother.

“At this point we believe finding the couple that last saw Max alive and gave him a ride is critical,” said Watson, “We need to hear from anyone that was visiting the Sierra de la Laguna mountains east of Todos Santos on December 18 or may know anything about who this mystery couple was.”

He said if the searchers knew where the couple left Max Watson or anything about their interaction with him “it would spark a renewed hope of finding him that we desperately need right now.”

The search has been conducted on land and air and with the help of dogs, but to no avail.

Anyone with information can contact Watson’s family and friends at searchformax@gmail.com.

Mexico News Daily

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Fake, AI-generated photos with the word "FAKE" overlaid show Puerto Vallarta and the Iberoamerican University in León, Guanajuato, in flames.

Fake fires, real fear: Debunking the lies that went viral after ‘El Mencho’ fell

4
AI-generated images, cartel propaganda and viral lies flooded Mexico after Mexico's military killed the chief of the Jalisco cartel. Here's what actually happened — and what didn't.
recaptured escapees in PV

Authorities capture 4 escapees after Puerto Vallarta jailbreak; 19 remain at large

0
Twenty-three prisoners, most with violent records, broke out of the facility during last Sunday's unrest in the state of Jalisco and beyond. Only four had been captured as of Thursday morning.
Activists hand a banner reading "#YoPorLas40Horas Reducción Ya!" outside the Mexican Chamber of Deputies

Mexico votes to cut workweek to 40 hours — but critics say it’s not enough

0
More than 13 million Mexican workers stand to benefit from a landmark reform approved by Congress this week, which will phase in a 40-hour workweek by 2030.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity