St. Thomas Student Found Dead in Puerto Vallarta

A University of St. Thomas student was found dead in a hotel room Tuesday while on spring break in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican Police are investigating the death of Josh Gunderson, 20, a freshman at St. Thomas and a 2007 graduate of Stillwater Area High School.

A Mexican newspaper in the area reported Wednesday that authorities were called to room 1203, where Gunderson's body was found in the bathroom. Gunderson lay motionless on his left side with blood on his face.

The room was registered to David Harold Jensen Zachary, 26, and a female, Ashley Jones, who have been interviewed by local Mexican Police with U.S. Consular Agent Kelly Trainor, who is based in Vallarta, present.

The paper said that Zachary and Jones had met Gunderson at a downtown bar before inviting him back to their room.
 

Authorities say its possible Gunderson could have fallen and injured himself, or he may have struggled with Zachary before hitting the ground, either way his death appeared to be instant.

A forensics expert determined the cause of death was a forceful blow to the back of the head, the newspaper reported.

Gunderson's mother lives in Oak Park Heights, Minn.