Family Mourns Loss of 22-Year-old Leonard Baltazar Just Before Christmas

With Christmas just two weeks away, a family in Dangriga is struggling to find any festive cheer as they mourn the loss of twenty-two-year-old Leonard Baltazar. Early Wednesday morning, Leonard was found dead near a resort on Tobacco Caye. This heartbreaking news has left his family feeling devastated and bewildered during what should be a joyful season. News Five’s Britney Gordon spoke with one of Baltazar’s family members about the tragic incident.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This Christmas will be a somber one for the Baltazar family as they grieve the loss of twenty-two-year-old Leonard Baltazar. Early this morning, around 2:30 AM, Leonard was found dead outside a cabana at the Reef’s End Lodge on Tobacco Caye. His uncle, Leo Baltazar, is still in shock, struggling to come to terms with the tragic news.

 

Leo Baltazar, Uncle of Deceased

“I woke up, surprised, shocked. Because I just saw him yesterday. Most people saw him yesterday talking, walking, laughing around as usual, just hanging around and talking to everybody as usual.  So when I woke up this morning, my sister came by to my house, called me and told me that she has some bad news to tell me about my nephew and that he passed away due to certain situations in the cayes. I was surprised because I just saw him yesterday.”

 

According to reports, two tourists were asleep when they were startled awake by the sound of someone rummaging through their belongings. They claim that when they woke up, they saw Baltazar in their room. A struggle broke out between him and one of the visitors, which ended with Baltazar falling over the balcony. Police arrived at the scene around three a.m., after resort workers discovered Baltazar’s body. His family is heartbroken, replaying the events that led to his death.

 

Leo Baltzar

“ He’s always laughing, talking, joking around with everyone, popping up to everyone’s birthday party. Yeah, he’s, he likes to celebrate. He lived, he used to live his life in joy and celebration. Most of his time he’s celebrating on the weekends, especially Fridays, and Saturdays. He’s always celebrating and having a good time.”

 

Leonard, affectionately known as “Uzi” to many, loved spending his time at the caye, indulging in his favorite pastime—fishing.

 

Leo Baltzar

“To make money  he started fishing, diving, lobster and conch. And yeah. That’s what he used to do to make a living. He was doing pretty good, too.”

As grief hangs over their Christmas festivities, the family leans on each other for support and prays that justice is served.

 

Leo Baltzar

“Still speechless. Still can’t find words. The mother is devastated. The father, he’s in the U.S., also devastated. Yeah, the uncles and aunts, we’re all devastated of the whole situation. We’re just speechless and trying to process the whole thing slowly. “ It’s gonna be quiet without him around it’s gonna be, it’s gonna be rough without him around.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.