NEW ORLEANS, La. – The families of three Americans — including two from Virginia Beach —who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while staying at an Airbnb rental in Mexico City in October announced on December 1 they are suing the homestay company.
Attorney L. Chris Stewart announced the families' intention to file a lawsuit against Airbnb during a press conference in New Orleans, citing the company's failure to implement a mandate for carbon monoxide detectors at all rental properties.
“We trust companies to do their job. We trust corporate oversight. And sadly, that didn’t happen. Three young people died due to the odorless killer, carbon monoxide. A death that could have been prevented simply with one of these,” said Stewart as he held up a carbon monoxide detector.
Stewart noted that this is not the first time Airbnb customers have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning during a stay.
"Airbnb had prior knowledge that guests were dying from carbon monoxide poisoning," Stewart said. "There’s been previous lawsuits."
He said he and the families of the three victims hope a carbon monoxide requirement will be mandated at Airbnb rentals as a result of the lawsuit.
“We are demanding that Airbnb mandate carbon monoxide detectors in every listing that they have. This isn’t about money, this isn’t about excuses from Airbnb," Stewart said. "Mandate it."
The victims, Jordan Marshall, Kandace Florence and Courtez Hall, died from carbon monoxide poisoning at the Airbnb property, News 3 previously reported. They were found unresponsive on Oct. 30, according to the Associated Press. The three were in Mexico City to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Related: AP: Friends from Virginia Beach die of gas inhalation in Mexico City
Both Marshall and Florence were from Virginia Beach and graduated from Kellam High School. Hall was from New Orleans.
Among the victims' family members who spoke at the press conference was Kandace Florence's mother, Freida Florence. As she remembered her daughter, she urged the public to spend time with their loved ones this holiday season.
“I leave you with this message: Hold tight to your children. Love them, because you blink your eye and they’re gone. Just hold tight to those babies," she said tearfully.
Stewart said a lawsuit has not been filed yet, but his firm expects to do so "within the next two to three weeks."
