Jet Ski Victim's Wife Questioned for Eight Hours
The remains of David Hartley have still not been found, but there are new theories on just who might be responsible for his death. At the same time, Mexican officials have been interviewing Hartley's wife Tiffany, getting from her every detail they can about what happened Sept. 30 on Falcon Lake.
The search for David Hartley's body may have been suspended due to intensifying violence on the U.S.-Mexican border, but the investigation of his murder is moving forward.
Friday, Mexican authorities interviewed Hartley's wife, Tiffany, for more than eight hours, later saying she "provided valuable information that will allow federal investigations to continue."
What did they ask her?
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PICTURES: Tiffany and David Hartley
Tiffany told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Monday she was asked about her last day with David in "major detail."
She said it wasn't an interrogation.
Tiffany's story was initially doubted by Mexican officials.
"(Friday's questioning) was just a witness statement," she told Rodriguez. "We just, between translation and having to go between Spanish and English, it took a long time and then, of course, taking some breaks. So, no, it was just a witness statement."
CBS News correspondent Don Teague reported Mexican investigators plan to interview her again today. But the Texas sheriff who is also investigating the murder wonders why.
Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez, of Zapata County, told CBS News, "I think what they're really doing is trying to discourage her from filing a complaint. I think because of threats from the cartel."
Tiffany said she doesn't know why Gonzalez would say that.
She said, "I mean, he wasn't there. So, he couldn't really, you know, have an idea of what was going on in that room."
Tiffany added she hasn't felt that Mexican officials suspect her.
"I don't have that feeling at all, talking to them and everything," she said. "I think they, you know, they know the cartel. They know what's going on over there. So, I don't have any doubt that they doubt my story."
She continued, "Basically, all the questions were about our day, from when we left our house to the time I left the sheriff's office. So, it's just major in detail and getting everything about the day and what happened."
David Hartley was allegedly shot to death by members of a Mexican drug cartel last month, while he and Tiffany rode jet skis on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake.
Experts have provided differing opinions on why the Hartleys were attacked. Last week an Austin-based security group said the couple was targeted after being mistaken as rival drug smugglers. Now a private investigator says teenagers affiliated with the Zeta drug cartel killed Hartley while trying to steal his jet ski.
Solving this case may be impossible as intimidation tactics like last week's murder and beheading of the Mexican lead investigator have now escalated into fierce gun battles.
Gonzalez said, "Right across the river from us we're actually seeing plumes of smoke from grenades, or the RPGs. We understand yesterday the Mexican soldiers had to retreat and had to go into the garrison and not come out because the cartels were there."
Teague reported Gonzalez says that he is frustrated. The investigation is in the hands of Mexican authorities, and he's left to play a support role.
Tiffany said she Mexican officials said the search would resume over the weekend or today.
She added, "I haven't gotten any word about if that's going to happen today or not, but that's what they were kind of thinking that would happen."
Are the Mexican officials taking the search seriously?
Tiffany said, "I hope so. I mean, I don't know exactly what their plan is. I mean, honestly, we just want David back, that's the only thing we want. You know, if the people are found that -- who did this, that's great. But, at the same time, I think it's going to be pretty hard for them to find out exactly who unless somebody gives them up."