Canadian photographer, 74, is 'robbed, strangled to death and dumped by the roadside in Mexico by bus driver'

• e-mail

A Canadian photographer was robbed and murdered by an airport bus driver who dumped her body at the roadside in Mexico, authorities say.

Barbara McClatchie Andrews, whose work had appeared in the likes of National Geographic, was found strangled at the side of the road outside Merida, Mexico, on Friday. 

The state Attorney General's office believes the 74-year-old was killed by the bus driver taking her from the airport in Cancun to her home in Merida - after a trip to visit family in Canada.

Married father-of-two Juan Carlos Lopez Martinez, a charter bus driver from Veracruz, has been arrested, local media reports.

Authorities say Andrews was the only passenger on the bus back to Merida after the others got off. Her body was found a few kilometers from her destination by a passing farmer at 7.30am on Friday.

Scroll down for video 

Barbara McClatchie Andrews, whose work had appeared in the likes of National Geographic, was found dead on Friday

Andrews' body was found dumped by the side of the road on Friday (pictured) 

The state attorney general's office believe the 74-year-old was killed by the taxi driver she had hired to take her from the airport in Cancun to her home in Merida 

The Yucatan Times reported the photographer had been brutally strangled to death, and beaten several times around the face and body. Her camera and money had been stolen.

Yucatan state Attorney General Ariel Aldecua said the motive appears to have been robbery. 

Her death is still under investigation.

Andrews, described by friends as a 'fascinating and lively and vital person', had traveled all over the world for her work.

She had moved to the colonial town of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, several years ago where she had opened non-profit gallery in Lak'Ech for emerging artists in 2007 that she was still heavily involved with.

She has also been represented by Art Works Gallery in Vancouver, according to gallery owner Deanna Geisheiner.

The artist and photographer, who split her time between Canada and Mexico was robbed and strangled to death 

Andrews, described by friends as a 'fascinating and lively and vital person', had traveled all over the world for her work

Yucatan state Attorney General Ariel Aldecua said the motive for Andrews' death appears to have been robbery

'We are shocked and saddened by the death of Barbara McClatchie Andrews,' the gallery said in a statement. 'We are heartbroken for losing such a dear friend and an accomplished artist.

'Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. We strongly demand the investigation brings her murderer to justice.'

The respected photographer loved Mexico and was a fierce defender of the country which is still gripped by a drugs war.

She would 'rail against the media' when it highlighted the dangers of the country, despite the fact that dozens of journalists have been murdered in Mexico in recent years.

Vancouver artist Rodney Clark, who had seen Andrews recently, said that she seemed much younger that her years, and was still a vibrant and outgoing individual.

'She was ageless in attitude, incredibly gifted, wickedly intelligent, kind beyond measure and had the most wonderful sense of humor. We could talk for hours at a time. I feel so blessed to have seen her such a short time ago. A great loss'.  

Andrews, who was trilingual, traveled all around the world for her photographic work

Andrews is survived by her son, Julian Andrews, and brother, Sam McClatchie

Colleagues of Andrews say her early work focused on the developing world where she had traveled extensively.

Her photographs were published in international journals including National Geographic and The World & I. 

She had also exhibited in shows all around the world.  

National Geographic Latin America paid tribute to their occasional contributor Andrews in a statement which read: 'We express our most sincere condolences on the passing of the photographer Barbara Mcclatchie Andrews.'

Locals from the small town of Merida, which has typically avoided some of the worst of Mexico's violence, were shocked by the news. 

Andrews, who was trilingual, had studied English and French literature at the University of British Columbia, and went on to pursue post-graduate studies at Montreal’s Concordia University and the University of Arizona.

She is survived by her son, Julian Andrews, and brother, Sam McClatchie.

She was also a former teacher at South Delta Secondary in British Colombia, Canada. According to the photographer's website, she had homes in both Vancouver and Merida.

Artist friend Martine Janser wrote, partially in Spanish, on Facebook: 'Barbara McClatchie Andrews, I certainly enjoyed your company....Will miss you. Rest in peace, dear friend.' 

Canadian officials are in contact with local authorities.