. >> reporter: ginny mcgowan never imagined she would need to protect her children here on vacation ative-star resort in mexico. >> we're in so much pain and shock and disbelief. >> reporter: but then the unimaginable happened. just hours after the family arrived, 20-year-old abbey conner and her 23-year-old brother austin were found floating face down in a pool. austin recovered, but abbey slipped into a coma and later died. abbey's family now speaking out for the first time. >> how excited about mexico were you? >> probably the most excited person was abbey. >> reporter: the wisconsin family booked their january vacation at iberostar paraisopao resort in playa del carmen. >> we said you guys need to meet us in the lobby at 7:30. >> reporter: abbey and her brother austin stayed around. >> we swam around for a little bit and decided let's celebrate with a drink. the bartender pours out a line of shots. i take one and everyone else does. and the last thing i remember was just like we are right now sitting here talking and lights went out and i woke up in the ambulance. >> reporter: ginn