EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A wrongful death lawsuit filed in California accuses Airbnb of negligence and deceptive safety practices following the deaths of two El Paso siblings who died after being poisoned by carbon monoxide while staying at a rental property in Mexico City.
The complaint, filed February 6, alleges that Airbnb failed to warn guests about dangerous conditions at a property booked through its platform, resulting in the deaths of Hugo Ivan Morales, 35, and his sister Laura April Morales, 37.
According to the lawsuit, the siblings traveled to Mexico City in February 2025 to attend a concert. Shortly after checking into their Airbnb rental, Hugo turned on the hot water to shower, activating a fuel-burning water heater located inside the apartment.
The heater allegedly emitted dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into the unit. Without a functioning carbon monoxide detector, the gas accumulated undetected, ultimately killing both occupants, the lawsuit stated.
Their bodies were discovered the following day.
Authorities later determined the heater was improperly installed in an inadequately ventilated area, contributing to the lethal buildup of gas.
RELATED: Report: El Paso siblings found dead in Mexico City apartment, family seeks answers
The plaintiffs—family members of the victims—argue that Airbnb bears significant responsibility for the deaths. The lawsuit claims the company:
Failed to disclose the presence of a fuel-burning water heater in the listingDid not warn guests about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoningAllowed the property to be rented without a carbon monoxide alarmMisrepresented the safety of listings on its platform
“Airbnb created the reasonable expectation that [guests] were staying in a safe place,” the filing states.
The lawsuit also points to a broader pattern of carbon monoxide-related deaths at Airbnb properties worldwide. It cites a 2023 NBC News investigation that identified at least 19 such fatalities over the past decade.
The lawsuit stated the following claims and damages:
Wrongful death due to failure to warnNegligencePremises liabilityFraud and misrepresentation
They are seeking damages for emotional suffering, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other costs, with the total amount expected to exceed $35,000.
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.