Judge Clears Former Events Director in Dancer Death Case

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A judge in Playa del Carmen has declined to press charges against former events director José Luis Argüelles González in connection with the death of a pre-Hispanic dancer who was killed when a giant screen fell on him.

The ruling, issued Wednesday by a control judge in the Oral Criminal Court of First Instance for the Playa del Carmen Judicial District, means Argüelles is free of charges unless prosecutors file a new indictment.

The case stems from an accident on July 28, 2023, at Parque Fundadores, where a large screen fell from the Portal Maya structure onto dancer Noé González Méndez. González died on February 19 from injuries sustained in the incident.

Argüelles was arrested in September 2025 but was released pending trial after obtaining a federal injunction. The Third District Court had granted him amparo protection against the original charges and ordered a new hearing.

On Wednesday, the court published a docket entry stating that in compliance with the amparo ruling, the indictment hearing was held and the judge ruled not to bind Argüelles over for trial.

The decision does not permanently close the case unless the judge issues a dismissal. The State Prosecutor’s Office may still file a new indictment.