CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As friends and family of Mooresville teacher Patrick Braxton-Andrew continue to grasp the news that he was killed by members of a Mexican cartel, experts are warning everyone to be careful while traveling.

• Patrick Braxton-Andrew was last seen hiking in Mexico
• Agents say it is possible for tourists to run into the wrong people
• Agents say to do research before traveling abroad 

Braxton-Andrew was last seen hiking near the Mexico Copper Canyon National Park, a popular tourist destination.

While the canyon is usually busy with tourists, former DEA Special Agent in Charge Paul Craine, says it's not uncommon in some of the more secluded areas of the park to run into the wrong people.

“A lot of it is generated by drug trafficking but a lot of it is just, lack of rule of law in a lot of these areas...where the organized crime groups are in many ways more powerful than the Government institutions in those areas,” Craine said.  “So they act with impunity, they murder with impunity, they kidnap with impunity.”

Craine says even if you do feel comfortable with the language, it's important to do lots of research before traveling.

He also suggests to use the travel guide on the State Department's website to learn whether or not there are any travel warnings in areas you plan to visit.