Mexico Says Body Found Is Missing New York Adventure Blogger
ACAPULCO, Mexico (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Remains found near a Pacific Coast beach town in Mexico are of a Westchester County man who vanished while on a transcontinental motorcycle adventure, Mexican authorities said Thursday.
Jose Villanueva, spokesman for the government of Guerrero state, said genetic tests identified the decomposed remains as those of Harry Devert, a 33-year-old stock trader from Pelham.
Villanueva said state prosecutors had turned the case over to federal prosecutors. That might suggest organized crime played a role in his death, since such crimes are federal offenses.
Devert, a world traveler and adventure blogger, headed down to Mexico on his motorcycle with the hopes of riding to Brazil for the World Cup and then all the way to the tip of South America, according to his travel blog.
He left for his trip from New York City in early December of last year.
He was last heard from on Jan. 25 when Devert told a friend that he was headed for Zihuatanejo on the coast and was being guided by a Mexican military escort. That path runs through an area troubled by drug-related violence.
Devert had also been keeping in close touch with loved ones during his journey and said he was expecting more escorts waiting for him in other towns.
The remains and a motorcycle that was the same model as Devert's were found in early July, about 16 miles from Zihuatanejo.
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