American Business Mogul Murdered at Placencia  

Police are investigating the murder of American real estate developer Boris Alexander Mannsfeld. On the night of February twenty-first, around nine p.m., Mannsfeld was found dead at his luxury home, Cocoplum Villas in Maya Beach, with a gunshot wound to the neck. Nearby, police found a spent shell casing, his wallet with cash, and his loaded firearm still in its holster. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full report.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

According to his website, fifty-six-year-old Boris Mannsfeld fell in love with Placencia during his first visit in 1992 and officially moved to the peninsula in 2006. Over the years, he invested heavily and became one of Belize’s top real estate developers. Tragically, his journey came to a sudden end when he was found dead at Cocoplum Villas in Maya Beach, one of his projects. Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that they are investigating Mannsfeld’s death as a murder.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“He came into the country that same day, as you would know that he has been in and out of the country following the death of Borja. And he was in his yard.  When seemingly he was approached by whoever the gunman or gunmen are and he was shot once to the head behind the neck. He succumbed to his injuries. At this time, we don’t know much. Investigators are still busy trying to investigate around Mr. Mannsfeld.”

 

In 2023, Belize City businessman Ricardo Borja, a close associate of Mannsfeld, was shot dead outside his apartment. Then, in 2024, businessman Darren Taylor was killed at his home in Dangriga. Both men were involved in investigations into fraudulent land deals at the time of their deaths. Police Commissioner Chester Williams has revealed that authorities are looking into a possible link between these murders.

 

Chester Williams

“We have one person in custody who is of interest to us. And so we’re also investigating around that individual. We’re also looking at the business transactions that Mr. Mannsfeld may have with other individuals without being able to see if we will be able to close in on a possible motive and perhaps suspect. So at this time we don’t have much where that is concerned. A t this time, cannot say that but we’re not ruling it out. We have to first establish a motive in order  first to be able to make a definitive connection but it will not be wrong for one to assume that there may be some connection there. And we’re looking at that possibility.”

 

Mannsfeld had just returned to Belize the day before, and police believe the killer ambushed him at his Cocoplum Villas residence. He was found dead on the steps of a building at the back of the property. Although the villas have security staff, the back entrance is open to the public beach, which is likely where the shooter entered. Reports indicate that Mannsfeld had up to eleven civil-court claims against him for alleged shady business practices.

 

Chester Williams

“We have seen the discourse on social media where it is said that, um, there are several claims before the court. So again, investigators have communicated with Mr. Mansfield attorney and today they’re going to the court to see what are those claims, um, that existed before the court and when those claims We’re going to be heard and against whom so those again a part of things that investigators will be looking at as a part of the investigation”

 

Police have detained businessman Frik de Meyere for questioning. He was also questioned back in 2023 after the death of Ricardo Borja.

 

Chester Williams

“Yes, He’s a suspect. And again, let me make it clear that Frik, or whatever his name is, It’s the person of interest who is in police custody at this time. And  let me make it clear that he, he is just a suspect, in this matter. I don’t want no lawsuit to come, so I’m making it clear that he’s just a suspect. The police are interviewing him to see if there’s anything that he would be able to assist the investigation with as it relates to this matter.”

 

Before his death, Mannsfeld sent emails to his clients, revealing that he had securely stored crucial evidence about a land fraud scheme. He shared this information with trusted individuals, instructing them to release all files—names, bank details, receipts, messages, and passwords—to major news outlets and US lawmakers if anything happened to him. Britney Gordon for News 5 Live.