Police are investigating the death of a 21-year-old woman who fell Wednesday from a seventh floor hotel balcony while on Spring Break on South Padre Island in Texas.
Authorities identified the victim as Nereida Cruz of Los Fresnos, Texas, and said it appears her fall was accidental, according to multiple local media reports.
"It is believed that she was perched on the balcony wall, kind of resting and moved to adjust herself and slipped and fell to her death," South Padre Island police chief Randy Smith told KVEO.
Investigators said they don't believe alcohol was a factor in the fall.
Cruz's death is the third one to be investigated on the island since Saturday.
Authorities reportedly found the decapitated body of a man floating in the bay off South Padre Island on Monday. Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio said the man, identified as 30-year-old Franklin Rodriguez Palacios Paz, was pulled from the water by South Padre Island firefighters around 7:30 p.m. Monday, MySanAntonio.com reported. He was decapitated and his chest was mutilated with a sharp object, officials told the website. Police are calling on the public to come forward with any information about the death.
On Saturday, police found a 24-year-old man dead inside a vacation condominium on the island. Ruben Diaz, of Katy, Texas, had reportedly traveled to the popular destination spot with his brother and four friends. Local media outlets report Diaz suffered from seizures.
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