A toxicology report has confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of three American women found in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The tragic discovery of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Ararwas was made on February 22. Since then, investigators have been working hard to determine what happened. The women were on vacation from Massachusetts. After the shocking discovery, their families demanded answers from local authorities, including the Belize Police Department. Earlier today, the results were shared with their loved ones, revealing the silent killer that claimed their lives.
Gian Cho
Gian Cho, Director, National Forensics Science Service
“So we received the toxicology results for the deaths of the three US nationals from the hotel in San Pedro. We received those results today. The testing took, I believe, about three weeks, more or less, from the time the laboratory received the samples. And the results came back today which we shared with the medical examiners because they will need the toxicology results so as to update the cause of death. If you recall, the cause of death was written as acute pulmonary edema due to pending toxicology and histology. So the medical examiner has received the report so they can revise or update the cause of death. The police department’s case officer has received it as well and before we scheduled this interview, we also made sure that the family received the toxicology results as well through the US Embassy which has been acting as the liaison. And we did a comprehensive toxicology screening which is why it took a bit longer than the two weeks that we were anticipating that it would take. As the commissioner mentioned to you previously, when we requested the toxicology analysis, we asked them to expedite the testing and because we asked for several different tests to be done it’s not uncommon for sometimes the results to take longer than the time that the lab gives. So we were screening for all commonly encountered illicit drugs, pharmaceutical medications, we also screened for carbon monoxide, as well as volatile gases.”
According to Gian Cho, Director of the National Forensics Science Services, investigators didn’t find any illegal drugs in the hotel room. However, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams informed reporters this afternoon that a carbon monoxide test was conducted on the same day the bodies were discovered. Although those results came back negative, another test was later carried out by the Department of the Environment. Williams mentioned that they are still waiting for those results to be provided in writing.
Gian Cho
Gian Cho, Director, National Forensics Science Services
“So no illegal drugs, no illicit drugs, and the results revealed that the three victims all had fatal exposure to carbon monoxide. So carbon monoxide is being revealed, or has been revealed as the contributing or underlying exposure that led to the acute pulmonary edema which was the final cause of death.”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The same day when the, or the following day, rather, after the bodies were found, tests were done inside the room for carbon monoxide and the test result was negative. Nonetheless, following information that we have gotten through the US Embassy, supported by what you all from the media had reported, there were some reports coming from persons who had stayed at the room before, indicating that they had used their own carbon monoxide tester and had detected carbon monoxide in one of the rooms. That prompted us to do another round of testing for carbon monoxide. Again, that was done by the Department of the Environment and [the National Fire Service] and we are still awaiting the results of that test that they did the second time around. So we have not received that in writing the second time around.”
Reporter
“ComPol, however, the Department of the Environment, the chief had said that they had detected levels of carbon monoxide, but you are saying that nothing has been sent in writing. Like what could be leading to that delay?”
Chester Williams
“Indeed, we have not received anything in writing from them and again, we have always been focused on the fact that we want to await the results coming from the National Forensics [Science] Services that they had sent abroad. We believe that that would have been a more accurate and conclusive finding and so we would have preferred to use that as the official release to indicate a cause of death. We are happy that the Forensics Department has now received that report, giving us a better insight in terms of a conclusive cause of death.”
Now that the results are out, is the Belize Police Department thinking about pressing charges against the island resort’s owner? Also, how long will the Royal Kahal Beach Resort stay closed since we’ve learned what caused the tragic deaths of its three guests?
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Certainly, from an investigative standpoint, carbon monoxide now being determined as the cause of death, it would not be, I don’t think it would fall within the criminal domain. Nonetheless, we will still be forwarding the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions and then she is going to have the final determination on whether or not she believes that the hotel can be held criminally liable. In the absence of that then it would be a civil matter. I am sure that BTB and the Ministry of Health is going to look at this very closely now in light of the results that we have received and you would know that under the hoteliers act, hoteliers have an obligation to ensure their hotel is kept in a safe and secure manner, for those persons who were supposed to stay there. As a matter of fact, there’s an annual inspection that has to be done by the health inspector and that report is sent to the Ministry of Health, as well as to BTB, and if they do not pass that inspection then that can lead to their license being suspended or revoked. So, in light of this, there certainly does exist some health hazard. BTB and the Ministry of Health will definitely do what needs to be done in ensuring that the hotel is not reopened until they are satisfied that the hazard that existed no longer exists no longer exists.”
Six months ago, Ivan Ayuso, a former employee at the National Sports Council, admitted to laundering money and stealing over a million dollars from the organization. On Monday, Justice Nigel Pilgrim delivered his verdict in the High Court. During the forfeiture proceedings, Justice Pilgrim expressed hope that this case wouldn’t be the last of its kind, emphasizing Belize’s role in the global fight to eliminate the profits from crime. The forfeiture has left Ayuso and his ex-wife without their family home. Justice Pilgrim’s order outlined what will happen over the next six months. The house where Ayuso lived with his then-wife, Tanya Racquelle Savery, on Jack Fruit Crescent in Belama Phase 2, Belize City, is to be sold. The market value is nearly six hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, with a forced sale value of around half-a-million dollars. From the sale, seventy percent will go to the government, and thirty percent to Ayuso’s ex-wife. As part of a plea deal, Ayuso agreed not to contest the forfeiture, allowing the Crown to take the house, which he had paid off using stolen money. Representing the Crown were Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, Crown Counsel Chanelle Fernandez, and Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Leni Ysaguirre-McCann, along with Janelle Thomas-Shorter from the FIU. Ayuso was represented by attorneys Darrell Bradley and Kimberly Wallace, while attorney Erin Quiroz represented Ayuso’s ex-wife as an interested party. The interested party can help find potential buyers for the property to ensure a timely sale. The FIU will handle the property’s maintenance, including security, utilities, repairs, and general upkeep until it’s sold. The FIU will also take immediate steps to sell the property. A Report Hearing is scheduled for September twenty-third to update the court on the progress of the sale. Ayuso appeared virtually from his cell at Belize Central Prison, where he is serving a five-year sentence after pleading guilty to theft and money laundering charges.
In late February, twenty-five-year-old Elroy Williams pleaded guilty to attempted murder. Back in 2018, Williams attacked his estranged wife’s boyfriend, thirty-three-year-old Michael Jones, with a two-by-four wooden plank in Lord’s Bank. Fast forward seven years, Williams is now hoping for a non-custodial sentence as he faces six years in prison. Today, the court held a mitigation plea where Williams asked for a second chance to be with his family. He brought in two character witnesses, his mother and sister, to vouch for his good character. In his final comments to the court, Williams expressed hope that Jones’ family could forgive him for his actions. Jones’ impact statement was read aloud in court, detailing how his life was forever changed after the brutal attack. He recounted being in a coma for days, suffering broken bones and severe swelling. Jones shared that his medical treatment was costly, and he was bedridden for months, unable to work. He said he wouldn’t wish his condition on anyone. Williams was initially out on bail but was placed on remand in 2024 after failing to appear in court. The trial judge is expected to hand down a sentence on Thursday.
On Tuesday, environmentalists and concerned residents of San Pedro protested the Cayo Rosario Project. This large-scale development is planned for one of the islands near San Pedro, right within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which has everyone worried. Oceana Belize, along with the residents and environmentalists, is calling for stronger protection of the country’s marine ecosystems, highlighting their crucial role in both the environment and the economy. In a statement on Facebook, Oceana Belize emphasized the growing threats to Belize’s marine resources, which are essential for the tourism and fishing industries that many communities rely on. Although the project underwent an Environmental Impact Assessment a few years ago, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai reassured everyone that the developers have met all environmental requirements so far and clarified that no dredging has started yet.
On the Phone: Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer, D.O.E.
“There was a protest done, yes, but the protest was because people are misinformed. First and foremost, people believe that they were doing excavation or dredging, which they were not and so they were saying that the dredging was illegal, which again, if they do it according to the E.C.P. it’s not illegal. So the current activity is not illegal. They do have permits to do that. The dredging component, if they use the proper – if they dredge following the proper method, it won’t be legal as well because they do have clearance to dredge. The biggest issue, Miss Ali in relation to this project, back then around 2017 was in relation to the fly-fishing area. Apparently, the area is a very good area for fly fishing and so they had some concerns in relation to that because the project does have, I think about 40 over-water structures that has been approved for that island. So, the project received environment clearance in 2018 after they signed onto an Environmental Compliance Plan. Since 2018, the E.C.P has been modified just slightly, not anything significant and some development has occurred slightly. And then they were doing more background information, finalizing the architectural plans, working with C.B.A. to get C.B.A.’s approval, working with the Mining Unit to get permit to the dredge et cetera. So the project now is moving forward with creating the first tier, and I think they had requested permission to build model homes, just some of the buildings, to demonstrate to the public what the development is all about. So they’re currently on site, or they were on site yesterday with a barge and an excavator. They were installing piles for the pier, so they were not excavating, they were not dredging and they’re not doing any of that. And so the D.O.E. did respond along with personnel from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and we observed that the activities on site is permissible under the current E.C.P.”
Mai said the D.O.E will have a meeting shortly, including with its San Pedro office to develop a monitoring program for the project to oversee it as it progresses. News Five also reached out to Minister of the Blue Economy, Andre Perez, who is the Area Representative for Belize Rural South. He indicated that the entire Cayo Rosario project is now being dealt with fully by all relevant government departments and that a meeting is set for Monday to further discuss the project and to review all the documents pertaining to the development of Cayo Rosario
On Tuesday, Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat submitted his thirteenth integrity report. By being open about his finances, Espat builds trust with the public. When elected officials declare their assets, it shows they’re not using their position for personal gain. This kind of transparency boosts the integrity of public service and strengthens confidence in government institutions. It’s crucial for holding officials accountable and can deter corruption by making it harder to hide illicit gains and spotting any unexplained wealth or conflicts of interest.
On the phone: Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South
“I think it’s extremely important. It’s to show transparency and accountability in your personal assets. The law is designed that any individual that is elected and that goes for the mayors and all the area reps. They should declare their assets from the first year that they have been elected. The law also says that when you stop from being elected, you still have to submit the declaration for five years more. It’s part of accountability, it’s part of good governance and I think it’s something that’s healthy for democracy and I would strongly recommend that every elected official do so. I have done so from the first day that I was elected. This week was my thirteenth declaration, and there are penalties. If I’m not mistaken, there are penalties of a hundred dollars a day from the day that you haven’t handed in your last declaration. I don’t believe anybody has been charged with it, but that’s the law. As far as I remember, the United Democratic Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Barrow, had cleared all area reps from declaring up to 2016. We had that vigorous debate in the house as to why he did that, but it was done. As far as I understand, it is from 2016 to date that is pending.”
The United Democratic Party has announced the appointment of three new opposition senators in the National Assembly. Former Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber is the new Lead Senator for the Opposition. Faber, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 at age twenty-four, served five consecutive terms for the Collet Division. He is well-known for his long tenure as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, where he led significant reforms in education and youth development. Joining him is attorney Sheena Pitts, who has served as Chairperson of the Labour Complaints Tribunal and Commissioner on the People’s Constitution Commission. She is also the Interim Chair of the U.D.P. Lastly, Gabriel Zetina, a resident of San Pedro who has worked in youth outreach, has been appointed as an opposition parliamentarian. The United Democratic Party believes these appointments reflect a renewed focus on principled leadership, constitutional reform, and people-centered governance. However, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton has expressed the need for representation of the south.
Today, the Caribbean Court of Justice wrapped up a two-day hearing in a legal battle between the Government of Belize and four private liquified petroleum gas (LPG) companies. The government is challenging a 2024 Court of Appeal decision that found it violated the companies’ constitutional rights to work and property by preventing them from importing LPG into Belize. This dispute stems from a 2019 law that established National Gas Company Limited as the sole importer of LPG in the country. Senior counsels Eamon Courtenay, Edward Fitzgerald, Angeline Welch, and King’s Counsel Andrew Marshalleck represented the appellants. On the other side, Senior Counsels Godfrey Smith and Douglas Mendes appeared for the LPG companies. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Over two days, the Caribbean Court of Justice listened to ten hours of arguments in the legal dispute between the Government of Belize and four private liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) companies. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay kicked things off, making the first submissions on behalf of the Attorney General of Belize.
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law
“There is an insinuation that government was acting on bad faith and ill will in seeking to put the respondents out of business. That is not so, the amendment act is a clear piece of evidence that the government was not intending to put them out of business. The government was intending to move the supply of LPG from road to sea that advance the purpose.”
In the early stages of the legal battle, when the four companies were up in arms over NGC’s operations, Parliament stepped in and amended the National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Project Act.
Eamon Courtenay
“The government leveled the playing field on the importation side and provided the right for someone to apply for a license to import LPG through an approved facility.”
However, the law only approves facilities with a storage capacity of one point five million gallons. The LPG companies argue that this requirement isn’t economically feasible for them. Attorney Douglas Mendes, representing his clients, claimed that while there’s an option for these companies to import through NGC’s facility, it’s just a pretense.
Douglas Mendez
Douglas Mendez, Attorney-At-Law
“By imposing impossible or commercial unviable conditions on entering the market you in effect maintain the monopoly. That is the point, because the monopoly still exists, because you have on the face of it, it is written in the act that you are permitted entry, but you really can’t because it is financially prohibitive as the evidence states to build the one point five million dollars plant and it would not may any sense to have us import through the NGC terminal when that relationship is totally unregulated.”
When the National Gas Company Limited was established, a decision was taken to import LPG exclusively by sea from the U.S to the company’s port facility. This brought an end to the trucking system that the private companies had in place. Attorney for the appellants, Senior Counsel Angeline Welch, argued that this approach decreases the risk supply shortages, provides for cheaper gas, and places the supply chain in the hands of Belizeans.
Angeline Welch
Angeline Welch, Attorney-At-Law
“The LPG was shipped to ports in Guatemala and Honduras and El Salvador, and it was trucked into Belize. By the time it was trucked into Belize the end costumer in Belize was Mount Belview price and the cost of those terminals and the transportation and any profit arrangements. The supply chain was operated and controlled by sister companies of the LPG companies. So those cost for the terminal and transportation and any other profit that was made was for that oligarchy which existed before the legislation.”
But the attorney for the four companies, Godfrey Smith, argues that the move violates his clients’ right to work.
Godfrey Smith
Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law
“The right is hindered. It is fettered. What the constitution guarantees to the respondents is that you have an unfettered, unhindered right to engage in a business or trade that you freely choose. So that they freely choose importation. At the end of the day we have lost wholesale business, forty-five percent of that. And that is an aspect of the business that you have a right to freely engage in.”
After a long nine-hour hearing, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay wrapped up his remarks to the court by addressing Mendes’ claim that the new law is just for show.
Eamon Courtenay
“Mr. Mendez took the liberty of alleging that the act and amendment was a pretense by the government to fake the fact that it was opening the market. A simple read of the legislation will show that it was the intention of the government to liberate the market on the conditions set out there. There is absolutely no basis to support the allegation, and I urge this court to reject it out of hand.”
In his closing statement, Mendes requested that the court consider the playing field is leveled.
Douglas Mendes
“Has the legislation treated the respondents and NGC in an even-handed manner? That is basically what I am asking. You have to look at what are the attributes relative to meeting the requirements of a one point five-million-gallon storage plant. What are the comparable circumstances relative to that requirement and the answer is they have all the benefits.”
The Statistical Institute of Belize reported that the Consumer Confidence Index for February 2025 showed a drop in confidence among Belizean households. This indicates that people were generally feeling pessimistic about their economic future. The index fell from a little over fifty in January to forty-six in February, marking an eight point nine percent decrease in consumer confidence. The Consumer Confidence Index measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about their financial situation over the next year. Interestingly, the S.I.B. also noted that the cost of living increased in February compared to the same time last year. News Five’s Marion Ali delves into the latest data shared by the SIB today.
Marion Ali, Reporting
In the first two months of 2025, the cost of living went up by 1.9%. In February alone, it increased by 1.6% compared to February 2024. The Consumer Price Index from the Statistical Institute of Belize highlighted that the biggest contributors to this rise were the costs of food and non-alcoholic drinks, housing, utilities, and fuel. Statistician Jefte Ochaeta provided the details.
Jefte Ochaeta
Jefte Ochaeta, Statistician, S.I.B.
“Under the food and non-alcoholic beverages, we saw that there was an increase of 2.4% and this was mainly driven by an increase of 12.8% in the prices of fruits and nuts as we observed them several fruits increasing significantly, like watermelon, limes, and pineapple cereal products also experienced an increase of 3% as we saw increase in the price of white bread, biscuits, and pasta products. The beverages components of the food and alcoholic beverages also increased with increases throughout the categories, like fruits and vegetable juices by 15.4%, where we experience increases in all the drinks like natural orange juice increasing by 25.3%, fruit drinks, powdered drinks, and also in purified water and soft drinks. In the housing and electricity and water and gas and other fuels. We also saw an increase of 2.4%, and this was mainly attributed to an increase in rent of 2.5% for the period, an increase in 6% of LPG in natural gas butane.”
Interestingly, the Consumer Confidence Index showed a drop in confidence among Belizean households in February. This means people were generally feeling pessimistic about their economic future. The index fell from 50.5 in January to 46 in February. The Consumer Confidence Index measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about their finances over the next year. Statistician Jacqueline Sabal explained that the S.I.B. surveyed 1,200 households to determine this, with the index ranging from 0 (completely pessimistic) to 100 (completely optimistic).
Jacqueline Sabal
Jacqueline Sabal, Statistician, S.I.B.
“The idea behind the CCI is that economic uncertainly or a decline in consumer confidence creates pessimism and reduces desires to spend, while economic optimism encourages consumer confidence and a willingness to make significant purchases and other debt commitments. For the month of February 2025, the consumer confidence index stood at forty-six. This represents a decrease of eight-point nine percent from January 2025, when the index stood at fifty-point five.”
Although the SIB can’t pinpoint why people feel the way they do about spending, Director General Diana Castillo noted that they’ve observed a general improvement in how consumers feel.
Diana Castillo
Diana Castillo, Director General, S.I.B.
“T here has been a general improvement in consumer sentiment. People have been getting less and less pessimistic. And in January, we actually crossed the threshold into optimistic. In February now we saw a slight reversion back to below 50 to pessimistic territory. The general trend has been upwards, but I can’t really say why people feel the way they feel. This just captures how they feel.”
At SIB’s first presentation of 2025, they shared data on the GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2024, revealing that the economy grew by 7.1%. Statistician Christopher Hulse presented these findings.
Christopher Hulse
Christopher Hulse, Statistician, S.I.B
“Goods and services produced in the first quarter of 20024 totaled one point four, three billion dollars. This is an increase of ninety-four point four, nine million dollars 0r seven point one percent when we compare it to the fourth quarter of 2023 which, was at one point three, three billion dollars. Looking at the one point four, three billion, we can see how that is spread across the three sectors with taxes. Primary contributed a hundred and fifty-seven point eight million out of that one point four, three billion. Then secondary – a hundred and seventy point three million. Tertiary – nine hundred and seven point two million, and then taxes – a hundred and ninety point two million.”
Ronald Orellana shared that Belize did better in the first two months of this year in terms of Merchandise Trade Statistics, which track our imports and exports over the past two months.
Ronald Orellana
Ronald Orellana, Statistician, S.I.B.
“Starting with the merchandise imports, we have a line graph showing how imports have performed over the past ten years for the first two months of January and February, despite a current decrease in imports when compared to 2024, imports have been on an upward trend since 2021. The total merchandise imports for the first two months of the year amounted to four hundred and sixty-one million dollars, down seven-point eight percent or thirty-eight point eight million dollars when compared to imports for the first two months in 2024. In general, exports have been on a downward trend with notable fluctuations seen across most of these years. The total domestic exports for the first tow months of 2025 amounted to forty point four million, representing a growth of seven point seven percent or three million when compared to the same period in 2024.”
