The body of Ximena Osegueda, a Canadian citizen who was working toward a doctorate degree in Hispanic studies at UBC, was discovered half-buried in the sand near the resort town of Huatulco in late December.

According to Mexican media, her partner, Alejandro Santamaria, was also found dead.

The pair disappeared on Dec. 13. Investigators were only recently able to identify the bodies.

Local newspapers are reporting that police found evidence of stab wounds on the couple's necks.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs would only say Thursday that Canadian consular officials in Mexico are in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance to the couple's family members in Mexico.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased," a Foreign Affairs spokesperson said in a brief statement.

‪Foreign Affairs has been advising Canadians travelling to Mexico to "exercise a high degree of caution due to a deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country."

"High levels of criminal activity, as well as occasional demonstrations and protests, remain a concern throughout the country," says the travel warning on the department's website.

Another B.C. resident, Robin Wood, was recently killed in Mexico. Wood had been staying in the town of Melaque and was reportedly murdered when thieves broke into his condo.