Bruce Beresford-Redman Returns to US From Mexico

(May 23) -- The former "Survivor" producer wanted for further questioning by Mexican authorities in the death of his wife has returned to the U.S. and could soon begin custody proceedings for his two children, his attorney said today.

Bruce Beresford-Redman, 38, returned to Los Angeles County from Cancun, where his wife, Monica Beresford-Redman, 42, was found dead near a sewer at the Moon Palace Resort on April 8 during the couple's vacation. The television producer was never charged but police described him as a suspect in the investigation of his wife's death.

Former 'Survivor' producer Bruce Beresford-Redman and his wife Monica.

El Universal/ZUMA Press

Former 'Survivor' producer Bruce Beresford-Redman has returned to the U.S. though Mexican police wanted to talk to him for further questioning about the death of his wife, Monica.

Authorities in Mexico told the Associated Press that investigators could not reach Beresford-Redman last week despite two attempts to contact him.

Beresford-Redman's attorney, Richard Hirsch, confirmed the former producer of "Survivor" and "Pimp My Ride" returned home "to be with his children and to attend to family and personal matters," according to published reports.

"He has been informed that he has no legal obligation to remain in Mexico pending the investigation into the tragic death of his wife, Monica," Hirsch said in a statement. "He is devastated by the loss of his wife, best friend and the mother of his children."

Hirsch also said his client has retained a family attorney and will pursue legal custody of the couple's two young children. Beresford-Redman's parents, David and Juanita Beresford-Redman, the children's temporary legal guardians, are already battling Monica's sister, Carla Brugos, for custody. Hirsch told TMZ that Beresford-Redman will soon join that battle.

"That is probably what is going to happen next," Hirsch said.

In a statement released Saturday, Monica Beresford-Redman's family expressed their disappointment that authorities could not locate her husband for further questioning. They are urging Mexican authorities to accept help from the FBI, which has offered to aid in the investigation.

"For over a month, we have patiently waited for the Mexican authorities to take some action," the family said. "Monica Burgos is an American citizen who was murdered over one month ago in Mexico and she deserves justice."

It is unclear how Beresford-Redman was permitted to leave Mexico, after Quintana Roo Attorney General Francisco Alor told the Los Angeles Times yesterday that it "would be very delicate and serious" for him to leave the country.