47 replies to this topic

[bridie]

Very sad news. I often use this restaurant and always enjoyed his wonderful friendly service.

[border crosser]

My gardener lives in Ixtlahuacan and when he showed up for work this afternoon the death of Pancho was the first thing he mentioned to me. So as not to start a rumor, let me just say that from my gardeners account Pancho's death was not from natural causes nor was it an accident.

[brercottage385]

Lo siento! What has touched more deeply than the news of the loss of everyone's friend is the empathy and heartfelt sense of loss I have felt through the postings - wow something really does happen to us gringos when we move south and are surrounded by a different culture - cannot wait to get there!

[gringal]

My gardener lives in Ixtlahuacan and when he showed up for work this afternoon the death of Pancho was the first thing he mentioned to me. So as not to start a rumor, let me just say that from my gardeners account Pancho's death was not from natural causes nor was it an accident.

....um....definitely started a rumor there. Any evidence of what may have happened?

[johanson]

I just asked a Mexican friend, He had heard the same thing, that the owner did not die in an accident, nor of natural causes.I chose not to ask any more questions about the subject.

[JayBearII]

Hmmm. We are among the many fans of Pancho and Los Cinco Potrillos. We enjoyed both him and his family. We are planning to go out as soon as we hear the restaurant has reopened, and we would like to do something in memory of Pancho. If someone would PM me as to the cause of death, I would appreciate it. If it is a family matter, well, I will be very sad, but if this is related to our recent narco disturbances in the area, well, I will be very angry. I will find out sooner or later, but sooner would be good.

[giltner68]

A great sadness and loss.

[Wheels]

very sad, what happened....someone must know

[GeckoGretchen]

Our best wishes to Pancho's family... it is indeed a very special restaurant, very memorable, very friendly and nice that it was a family run place... his wonderful character will be missed by everyone.

[Chapala Man]

This is what I just received from a friend of mine. Of course rumors will be flying, and one day the truth will come out.
I am so sorry to lose a beloved friend. We had been very close since his restaurant opened. I will continue to support Lupita as I have supported the Restaurant in the past. RIP, my friend, Pancho.

I went to La Cabana to eat lunch and there were about 10 cops I know there...asked one of them about Pancho...he said he was shot driving on his ranch. But too many of them to get details.
Asked two other locals and it seems to be;
1) no narcos involved, motive pure robbery
2) they killed not just Pancho, but his brother and their father
3) other brother in Ocotlan and he had 3 sisters
4) it did not happen in front of wife or kids
5) the thieves didn't get what they wanted
6) don't know if the thieves might have been ON drugs but desperate enough to kill for whatever reason
7) the killing happened inside the house at the rancho, they don't know if the people were invited in or invaded but current thinking is they forced their way in
8) they were beaten before being killed
Thats all I can find out for today...everyone laments this saying how quiet it normally is here, what a good guy Pancho was and why did they have to also take out the dad and brother or even hurt anyone to the point of death...a beating would have been enough.
It is possible (probable) the victims knew the invaders so they had no choice but to kill them or risk identification.

[Splashingcolor]

We are all sadden to hear of Pancho's passing, it is a terrible loss and saddens each of those who knew him. He had such a way of making everyone feel at home in his corner of the world. His smile was a brilent light, welcoming each who dropped in for comida.

As for the last post by "Chapala man"' you start out with "of course rumors fly", and then you, spread them by posting them on the forum. Unless you have facts, I think it wise not to be the one giving the rumors wings.


Sent from my iPad

[Sasesu]

It would be nice if any person that knows Pancho's family would organize a get together at the restaurant in memory of Pancho and his father and brother...what a tragedy. I think many of us would like to pay our repects, and celebrate what a great man he was to all of us...

[JayBearII]

I would love to participate in a memorial at the restaurant, but maybe we should wait a couple of weeks until the family has had some time to themselves. We will visit this weekend, but if someone is visiting who has more Spanish than I do, please raise the question of how we can help.

[giltner68]

I would certainly want to pay my respects to the family for myself and friends from Canada who visited there.

[Canookie]

This will not be a popular response...but I wouldn't go near the place until I know exactly what happened. When I first started reading the thread I thought suicide but now it appears it was a homicide. Until you know if this was random, or a deliberate execution I'm not sure I'd want to be around there. Let the flaming begin!!

[cookie]

I thought they didn't target gringos? His wife is going to need all of the support she can get.

[Whitey]

This is by far (for us) the worst news yet here. We frequented the restaurant and got to know Pancho and his wife and staff. We are sickened by this news.....................my god, what is happening here.............
Our deepest condolences to the family. We will continue to support the restaurant but not for some time - the family needs time to deal with this. Not sure how they will be able to move past this.

[giltner68]

Please canookie, if you can't have respect for the dead and their family, just please remain silent. If you feel that way, some things are better left unsaid, many of us feel the loss, don't disrespect our concern and caring for his family and his memory.

[CCC]

Please canookie, if you can't have respect for the dead and their family, just please remain silent. If you feel that way, some things are better left unsaid, many of us feel the loss, don't disrespect our concern and caring for his family and his memory.

Thank you.