PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — A dream vacation in one of Mexico’s most renowned coastal getaways ended in tragedy for retired attorney and former United Airlines executive Jessica Rossman, 56, whose body was discovered in a local morgue days after she visited a dermatology clinic for a cosmetic procedure.
Rossman, known among friends and family for her vivacious spirit, reportedly failed to return to her vacation home on April 1, prompting longtime partner Gordon Bethune—former CEO of Continental Airlines and a well-known aviation industry figure—to alert the U.S. Consulate when she did not come back from a scheduled beauty treatment.
Days later, Rossman’s brother, Dr. Lucio “Lucho” Rossman, 55, a diagnostic radiology specialist, learned that Jessica’s body had been located at the city’s Forensic Science Institute. “Our heads are spinning,” Lucho told DailyMail.com, emphasizing the family’s deep concerns about how such a “routine, outpatient-type skin procedure” could end in death. “Jessica walked into a dermatology clinic and ended up in a morgue. We need to know what happened.”
A Mysterious Final Appointment
Rossman had visited the Dr. Carlos Diaz Health & Beauty clinic in Puerto Vallarta, which advertises an array of anti-aging treatments including Botox, fillers, microneedling, and the Morpheus8 radiofrequency skin-tightening technology. According to Lucho, staff at the clinic have declined to discuss any anesthesia or medications used, further deepening the family’s suspicions.
Despite repeated attempts, the clinic did not respond to questions from DailyMail.com. An official from the local Forensic Science Institute confirmed that Rossman’s body was collected from a clinic rather than a hospital and that toxicology tests are underway, but additional details remain undisclosed. Neither the state attorney general’s office nor the U.S. Consulate responded to inquiries regarding Rossman’s cause of death.
Family’s Frustration and Grief
Lucho, a married father of three, is now leading the efforts to determine how his sister’s simple cosmetic procedure could have had such catastrophic consequences. “She had these kinds of outpatient skin procedures frequently,” he noted. “My impression is that it wasn’t the sort of thing that would typically involve a general anesthetic.”
Rossman’s 88-year-old mother, Marcella, has been staying with Lucho and his family in Long Island, New York, as they navigate bureaucratic hurdles and await the release of Jessica’s body for repatriation. Plans for a funeral service remain in limbo.
“Jessica’s personality was exceptional,” Lucho said, reminiscing about his only sibling’s love for fun and her sharp wit. “She was well-educated, accomplished, and smart as a whip.”
A Celebrated Career and Legacy
Before taking early retirement, Rossman spent more than two decades as a senior attorney and marketing director at Continental Airlines, which later merged with United Airlines in 2010. A University of California, Berkeley alum, Rossman devoted her time post-retirement to volunteer work, contributing to non-profits such as Kids Meals and AIDS Foundation Houston.
Bethune, 83, known for his leadership roles at Boeing, Braniff, and Piedmont Airlines, has not spoken publicly about Rossman’s death. Sources close to him say he has returned to the U.S. after coordinating with the U.S. Consulate to locate Rossman’s remains.
Tributes from Friends
Rossman’s death has sent shockwaves through her wide social circle. Friends and former colleagues took to her Facebook page to share memories and condolences. “Jessica was beautifully complex—brilliant, sarcastic, compassionate, effortlessly funny, and fiercely loyal,” wrote Kristi Hoss Schiller. Another longtime friend, Robert Falcon, expressed his disbelief: “I’m at a total loss for words.”
“Your unexpected departure has left a deep, permanent, and very painful impression on my heart,” wrote Romy Lauren, who remembered Rossman’s warmth and infectious energy.
Demands for Transparency
While Rossman’s family awaits an official cause of death, Lucho hopes other travelers will heed the cautionary tale of seeking medical or cosmetic treatments abroad. “If there is a potential danger, that problem needs to be addressed openly so people can be careful,” he said. “It’s not just personal; it’s also to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.”
With the investigation still active and critical details unknown, Rossman’s grieving loved ones continue to push authorities in Puerto Vallarta for answers. Until then, they cling to memories of a charismatic and generous woman whose sudden and mysterious passing has sparked international attention—and a mounting outcry for accountability.
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — A dream vacation in one of Mexico’s most renowned coastal getaways ended in tragedy for retired attorney and former United Airlines executive Jessica Rossman, 56, whose body was discovered in a local morgue days after she visited a dermatology clinic for a cosmetic procedure.
