Former "Survivor" Producer Charged with Spouse's Murder in Mexico, Will He Be Extradited?

Bruce Beresford-Redman was charged with the murder of his wife, Monica, on Monday, May 31, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico. Francisco Antonio Alor Quezada, Mexican attorney general for the state of Quintana Roo, said an "order of arrest" has been issued against the former producer of the reality show "Survivor." The order charges him with the crime of "qualified homicide" in the death of his wife at a Cancun resort. Mexico will immediately seek extradition.

The 39 year old Beresford-Redman has denied having anything to do with the murder of his wife, who was born Monica Burgos in Brazil in 1969. She was found dead in a septic tank on April 8, 2010 (her 41st birthday) at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun. The cause of death was, Alor said, "asphyxia by suffocation." She also was reported to have suffered a blow to the head.

The couple were supposedly staying at the resort in an attempt to repair their crumbling marriage. Mexican authorities seized Beresford-Redman's passport and other documentation after questioning him following the murder. Beresford-Redman agreed to stay in Mexico until the investigation was concluded, but instead he managed to return to the United States even without his passport. Beresford-Redman initially reported his wife missing on April 6, two days before her body was discovered. He also indicated to the Mexican police that he had not seen her since April 5.

His attorney, Richard G. Hirsch, read a statement from the former producer saying his client was "incensed at the suggestion that I could have had anything to do with her death." While protesting his innocence, he said: "My children have had one parent taken from them by a senseless act of violence. I implore the Mexican authorities not to take their remaining parent by a miscarriage of justice." Mr. Hirsch also pointed out that the agreement to remain in Mexico was voluntary, although their taking his passport seems like they were pretty serious about him staying put.

Prior to the issuance of the order for arrest, Richard Hirsch told the press that he would fight extradition. Other violent episodes around the resort were brought up to suggest someone other than Beresford-Redford had committed the crime. Hirsch told Good Morning America: "We hope that the attorney general is not just trying to clear this case off his desk or in any case trying to protect the tourist industry of Cancun."

At this point, all that is known to point a suspicious finger at the former producer is that his marriage was rocky because of an extramarital affair he engaged in. He was also said to be seen with scratches on his body and someone at the hotel said he or she witnessed an argument between the couple 2 days before she was reported missing. He also took out 2 life insurance policies on his wife in the week prior to her death. Although procuring these policies might be viewed as evidence of premediation, the policies are believed to name the couples' children as beneficiaries and at least one was connected with accidental death while traveling.

It also doesn't look good that he fled Mexico after agreeing to stay there and cooperate in the investigation either, but that proves nothing except he changed his mind about hanging around for any number of reasons, such as wanting to be with his children and/or being afraid of the miscarriage of justice he now claims is going to happen anyway if he is extradited.

Whether he fears unfair treatment at the hands of the Mexican authorities or whether he fears they may have some real evidence that will prove his guilt in the murder, if the Mexican authorities can support their extradition request, it will be honored under our extradition treaty with Mexico. Article 3 of the treaty states:

"Extradition shall be granted only if the evidence be found sufficient, according to the laws of the requested Party, either to justify the committal for trial of the person sought if the offense of which he had been accused had been committed in that place or to prove that he is the person convicted by the courts of the requesting Party."

Temple University has the United States-Mexico Extradition Treaty online.

Sources: Embedded and
LA Times Blogs: Mexico Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Survivor Producer 5/31/10
ABC News: Murder Charges Expected Against Survivor Producer 5/30/10
Wikipedia: Bruce Beresford-Redman