Six Mexican police officers are under arrest after an Oregon tourist was found dead after being taken to a Mexican jail.

Sam Botner, a crab fisherman from Yoncalla, Oregon was on vacation with his wife in San Jose del Cabo, near Cabo San Lucas when he was involved in a fight and was arrested by local police. A short time later, Botner was dead in the jail and showed signs of being beaten.

Six officers have been arrested in Botner's death, but the prosecutor in the case said it could take 30 days of investigating before any formal charges are brought.

Celebration turns into tragedy

For Kim and Sam Botner, the trip was to supposed to be a celebration of Sam's return from fishing season in Alaska.

Kgw.com

Sam Botner at Cabo Wabo in Mexico, shortly before his death.

But the trip didn't go well, according to Kim Bottner. She told KGW that, after four days on vacation, they felt they were being taken advantage of because they did not speak Spanish. She said they were planning to return home early.

 Slideshow: Trip photos

On Wednesday, August 27th, the couple returned from dinner around 8:30pm. Kim Botner says they both went for a swim in the ocean. Her husband Sam, went up to their rented condo to change while she stayed on the beach.

A short time later, Kim said she heard her husband shouting and angry. She ran to the parking lot and saw a man sitting on the ground. She said Sam had gotten into a confrontation with a security officer working at the condo, then into a fight with the man, whom they did not know.

Police arrived, handcuffed Sam Botner and took him to jail.

That was the last time Kim Botner saw her husband alive.

 More: Family shocked by Botner's death

American officials said they are in close contact with Mexican authorities who are investigating the death including the Director of Public Security and the State Attorney General and will continue to monitor the investigation. The U.S. Consulate told KGW that it visits every American jailed in Mexico but in this case, Sam died before agents could get there.

"We’re saddened and troubled by reports that an Amercian citizen died August 27th while in police custody," a spokesperson at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana said.

Prosecutor has 30 days to charge officers

According to Baja California Sur state deputy prosecutor Omar Bajaras, six Mexican officers have been placed under arrest on suspicion of homicide. At least one of those guards admitted kicking Botner in the face, according to authorities.

Kim said her husband was resisting the officers, but did not deserve to die in the Mexican jail. She said telling her 10-year-old daughter that dad is never coming home was the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

“I’m sure he was resisting,” said Kim Botner. " But he was handcuffed the whole time, they told me that. And within one hour after they arrested him he was dead. I’ve seen 29 pictures after they arrested him and they beat him to death,” said Kim Botner.

A medical examiner recorded minor bruises on Botner's face at the time of his arrest, but more were found on his body after his death, the prosecutor said.

Barajas said the police officers gave contradictory statements about the man's incarceration. One confessed to kicking him in the face. Others said the victim hit his face on the ground when they pushed him to the floor to subdue him.

 More: Mexican newspaper report (translated)

 Also: Mexican newspaper report (Spanish)

While formal charges have not yet been filed, the officers will remain in custody throughout the investigation. Authorities have 30 days to conduct their investigation before filing formal charges. The officers were expected to remain in a facitility in the capital city of Cabo San Lucas, according to the prosecutor's office.

Surveillance video and witness statements indicate that officers struck the victim, Barajas said.

Kim said she feared for her own life after the Mexican officers were put under house arrest. She did not feel safe until she got home to the small town of Yoncalla, Oregon, just outside Eugene.