2025-02-24 - Channel 5 Belize

One Suspect in Police Custody for Murder of Boris Mannsfeld

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that the murder of 56-year-old Boris Alexander Mannsfeld “has all indications of a hit.” Williams stated that Mannsfeld had just come into Belize the day he was shot dead, adding that he was “in and out of the country following the death of Borja.”

Williams stated that the motive remains unclear and that police are focusing on “looking at the business transactions that Mr. Mannsfeld may have with other individuals, with our view to see if we will be able to close in on a possible motive and perhaps suspect.”

News 5 asked ComPol Williams if there is any connection between Mannsfeld’s murder and the deaths of his two associates, Ricardo Borja and Darren Taylor. Williams said, “It will not be wrong for one to assume that there may be some connection there, and we’re looking at that possibility.”

Mansfield, who was reportedly involved in several civil legal disputes, including claims of questionable business practices, was shot in the back of the neck. Williams confirmed that Frik De Meyere is currently in custody as part of the investigation, stating, “He’s a suspect, and again, let me make it clear that Frik, or whatever his name is, is the person of interest who is in police custody at this time, and he’s just a suspect in this matter.”

“Gummies” Found at Scene of Three Women’s Deaths in San Pedro

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police, told reporters this afternoon that the police are still investigating the deaths of three women found in their suite at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Saturday morning.

Williams stated, “The police did a thorough search of the scene, along with the pathologists and scenes of crime. There was nothing of substance that could have been found other than alcohol and some gummies.”

Williams added, “We’re not saying at this time that the gummies cause death, but we’re looking at every possibility.” He stated that police are investigating if the gummies were substances that they brought in to Belize or bought locally.

ComPol Williams confirmed that a postmortem examination by the National Forensic Service is scheduled for today or tomorrow to help determine the cause of death. He stated that police have reviewed surveillance footage that confirmed the women going in their room on Thursday and were not seen to exit the suite after that, adding that “nobody was seen going into the room.”

“We’re trying to do as best as we can, including to see where they may have gone on Thursday before they went home, what if anything they consumed. All these things we’re looking at,” Williams said.

The women were due to leave Belize on February 23rd, and their families have been in contact with the U.S. Embassy, which is assisting with the investigation. The women were identified as Kaoutar Naqqad (23), Imane Mallah (24), and Wafae El-Arar (26).

Williams also stated that “based on what the pathologist said when he visited on Saturday evening, is that they could have been dead 20 hours prior.”

The victims were of Moroccan descent holding U.S. citizenship and were discovered by hotel staff after they failed to respond to housekeeping checks. In the initial police investigation, it was reported that no signs of injury were found on their bodies, but that vomit and froth were found around the women’s mouths, leading authorities to suspect a possible drug overdose.

PUP Leader on “Body Shaming” Comments

At a PUP campaign event in Independence Village, Kaya Cattouse, the PUP candidate for Albert, took a direct jab at her opponent, Tracy Panton of the UDP. Cattouse said that Panton’s time in office was over and went on to say that her opponent “can’t keep up” with her, both physically and on the campaign trail. She said, ““Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.”

Panton responded via social media, accusing Cattouse of body shaming and labelling the remarks as “poor, poor taste.”

News Five asked Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) about Cattouse’s comments. He said, “Kaya can defend herself, and Kaya can clarify whatever it is that she said. But I can tell you here that our party, um, has been a very strong supporter of women.”

He added, “As a government, we have been the government that appointed the most women in the history of any government. And so we continue to support women.”

“Politics is a contact sport, you know, and sometimes you kind of speak out of turn, but I don’t think that whatever, Kaya said. I don’t think she said it maliciously.”

PUP Leader Disappointed in Elvia Vega’s Independent Candidacy

Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP), John Briceño, has expressed disappointment over Elvia Vega’s decision to run as an independent candidate in Corozal Bay. Briceño stated that Vega had participated in a fair and transparent convention, where she was decisively defeated. He dismissed her claims that certain individuals were not allowed to vote, calling them untrue. “I wish she would rethink. It’s still not too late. She can still withdraw her nomination at any time.”

He criticised what he described as a lack of solidarity among women in politics, arguing that Vega should have stepped aside and backed Garcia Ramirez instead. “She knows she can’t win,” Briceño said, adding that if Vega truly supported the PUP, she and her followers would rally behind the party’s chosen candidate. “If she is a good PUP as she claims to be, then she and her supporters will support, um, the candidate of the PUP. That’s the oath that she took.”

Briceño remained confident in Garcia Ramirez’s chances, praising her determination and dedication to Corozal Bay.

While efforts had been made to encourage Vega to remain with the party—including continued access to resources and outreach from PUP members like Kareem Musa—Briceño said her choice was ultimately hers to make. However, he was certain that Garcia Ramirez would still emerge victorious.

Thea Garcia Ramirez Dismisses Elvia Vega’s Candidacy

Thea Garcia Ramirez, the People’s United Party (P.U.P.) standard bearer for Corozal Bay, remains confident in her campaign. She dismissed any concerns about independent candidate Elvia Vega.

When asked if Vega’s candidacy could impact the race, Garcia Ramirez stated firmly that it does not affect her campaign “at all.”

Vega, who previously contested against Garcia Ramirez, was defeated in a P.U.P. convention by what Garcia Ramirez described as a “convincing” margin. “I don’t think it was by a small margin. I think the margin was big enough to be clear,” she said. Now, she believes that the people of Corozal Bay are prepared to reaffirm their choice at the polls.

When asked about UDP Leader Shyne Barrow’s reported support for Vega, Garcia Ramirez was dismissive, stating she had little interest in his political manoeuvring. “I have no idea, and I really don’t have any time to comment or ponder what’s going on there,” she said. However, she speculated that Barrow’s endorsement of Vega was out of necessity rather than strategy. “I think he has no choice. He has nobody else left.”