The family of a Yoncalla crab fisherman who died in a Mexican jail near Cabo San Lucas was searching for answers in his death Tuesday.

The trip was to celebrate Sam Botner's return from fishing season in Alaska.

Wednesday, August 27th, the couple had 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 confrontation broke out later in a parking lot and Sam was taken to jail, where he was later found dead.

 Background: Tourist death

"He was a great man, a very hard worker,” Botner’s brother Paul said. “Had the best heart of any person I've ever known. He would have gave anything for anybody he knew whether it was money or time. I was really just shocked.”

Botner Family

Sam Botners wife says her husband was beaten to death in a Mexican jail.

"No matter what the people that did it know what they did. And I'd like some justice, but they're going to have to live with it for the rest of their lives, knowing that they killed somebody."

Kim Botner 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.

"Its big you know? I met the attorney general, the governor, they were all there. They're upset so it’s a bigger thing than I even imagined," Kim said.

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.