Conflicting Report on Deaths of Three American Tourists

There’s conflicting information coming out of Massachusetts and Belize regarding the deaths of three American tourists found lifeless in their hotel suite in Belize last month. Autopsies in Belize concluded that the women died from acute pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Fire Chief Colin Gillett also mentioned that their tests found no trace of carbon monoxide in the room. However, DailyMail.com reports that a source close to one of the families said a preliminary report indicated the fatal fluid buildup was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The report also mentioned that investigators found other non-fatal incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Royal Kahal and have contacted at least one other American victim. The women, twenty-three-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, twenty-four-year-old Imane Mallah, and twenty-six-year-old Wafae El Arar, were found dead in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February twenty-second. Their families were upset by comments from the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who suggested a possible drug overdose, noting that froth was found on the women’s mouths and that alcohol and ‘gummies’ were discovered in the room. An email from the resort, circulated on March seventh, informed guests of a temporary closure and offered refunds. Executive Director of the National Forensics Lab, Gian Cho, told News Five that the toxicology report is expected in a couple of weeks. Fire Chief Gillett is also waiting for this report to release more details.