London, Ont., woman killed in roadside gunpoint robbery in Mexico, family and friends say

A London, Ont., woman who lived in Mexico for close to a decade was shot and killed during a roadside robbery while driving home to Canada, according to friends and local news reports. 

Canadian officials have not yet confirmed the death of Gabriele Schart, but her family and friends have spoken to CBC News. 

Schart owned the Firefly Cinema and karaoke bar in Zipolite, a town in southern Mexico. The business, founded by Schart about eight years ago, was a popular gathering spot for expatriates and locals, friends say. 

Family members say they've been told Schart was shot in Queretaro, just north of Mexico City, on Saturday — about a day into her journey home with her four dogs and cat. Mexican media say Schart was 50 but a friend said she was 57.

"She absolutely loved animals and she would not leave without them, so she decided to buy a vehicle there and drive home with them," said longtime friend Raquel Shulman, adding Schart was going home to look after her ailing mother. 

A spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada said it's "aware of the death of a Canadian in Mexico."

"Consular officials are providing consular assistance and support to the family and are in contact with local authorities to obtain additional information," said the statement emailed to CBC News on Wednesday. "Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed."

The Canadian government also advises visitors to Mexico to "exercise a high degree of caution" because of high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

CBC News has also reached out to Mexican authorities about the Schart case. 

Shulman said Schart was driving with a male friend who was supposed to help her on the sometimes dangerous Mexican highways, where people have been stopped by men who demand money. 

"He was supposed to be a safety net for her, so she would be safe getting to the border." 

Mexican media say the male friend was also shot and sent to hospital for treatment.

Schart has two sons — Corin, who lives in Mexico, and Michael, who resides in London with his grandmother. The siblings are working to get answers from authorities in Mexico.

"Gabriele was a very bright person. Strong-willed. Loving. No matter how hard things got, she found the strength to keep on trying," eldest son Michael wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise money for travel costs to claim his mother's remains and for funeral costs.