2025-04-28 - Channel 5 Belize

Father of Five Killed by Aggressive Wild Pig in Gales Point

A tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Gales Point Village where a father of five lost his life after confronting a wild pig. Anton Andrewin was in his yard, enjoying time with friends, when the hungry animal appeared. He tried to shoo it away, but the pig turned aggressive. Its tusk cut Andrewin’s leg, severing an artery, which proved fatal. Today, the village chairman, Jason Altschaft, is urging animal owners to follow the law and prevent their pets from roaming freely. It’s illegal for animals to wander in public spaces. In this case, the pig’s owner had a history of trouble; he was involved in a fatal stabbing incident back in January. After moving out of the village, his pig became wild, searching for food until Sunday when it fatally injured Andrewin. The pig was then put down. Marion Ali reports.

Michelle Andrewin, Wife of Deceased

“The pig charge the third time and he jump back and I didn’t realize that he was bitten or cut or anything. And Mr. Web say, “Shelly, the pig bite the man,” and when I look, he was there coming and the blood was running down. Ih had on a long pants, the blood was running on his leg. (Sobbing) He came here, he reached here and he collapsed. The man catch him in his arms and I pulled his boxers down and there was a big cut.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

Michelle Andrewin shared the heartbreaking experience she went through on Saturday afternoon in Gales Point Village. She watched in horror as her husband, Anton Andrewin, suffered a fatal cut to his leg. The forty-six-year-old father of five was sitting with Michelle and a few friends in their yard, enjoying some drinks, when a stray pig wandered in. Anton tried to chase it away, but the pig turned aggressive and attacked him. This wasn’t the first time the pig had hurt Anton while he was trying to shoo it away, Michelle said.

Michelle Andrewin

“I was sitting here and we were having a conversation and laughing and everything, and then the pig came in the yard and was at the back of the yard over there. And he went after the pig and the dog went after the pig, and he went after the pig and it was not the first time that he get in contact with that pig. That pig hurt him more than once. He was like stoning the pig and the pig was aggressive and I was shouting. I said, “Tinny” left da pig, left da pig, da pig wa bite yoh. That’s why I’m screaming from here.”

After her husband was wounded, Michelle Andrewin tried to stop the bleeding by tying a piece of cloth around his leg. She then rushed him to the Southern Regional Hospital, but he went limp before they arrived. The cut had severed a major artery, causing him to bleed out. When the villagers heard the tragic news, they hunted down the pig and killed it. Village chairman Jason Altschaft said he helped euthanize the animal, and the villagers then sacrificed it.

Jason Altschaft, Chairman, Gales Point Village

“When we had heard that he didn’t make it, that’s when I went back over to the family and I found out that they were chasing down the pig. I’d heard them – when I went back to go get my license firearm, I could hear them chasing the pig, and the pig was squealing. So as I got there, we put it down.”

But how will the Gales Point Village Council ensure that animal owners take responsibility and prevent their pets from roaming freely around the village?

Jason Altschaft

“Ultimately, it comes down to the owner’s responsibility. I mean, when it comes down to the law. That’s the facts. So if nobody wants to get charged, they’re gonna have to deal with this right away. I believe there’s a code that doesn’t really allow pigs in a village for several reasons. And I think we just learned one of the main ones besides disease. So those laws are in place for a reason.”

Marion Ali

“What’s the owner of the pig saying?”

Jason Altschaft

“So we haven’t actually talked to him. He’s not in the village at the moment. He was having some issues with being in the village. So he hadn’t been here for months, so, the pig had just become what we call feral. He’d become wild.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero says the police are investigating the incident.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Investigation revealed that Anton Andrewin was at Gales Point when he went to chase a pig that was causing or eating his plants. The pig attacked him and he received an injury. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.”

Reporter

“Is there a law or something that governs this type of thing, that it’s possible the owner of the pig might be in breach?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“An investigation will be carried out and we will have the results at the end of the investigation.”

Mertle Altschaft, who is related to Anton Andrewin, prayed that his passing would bring the village closer together, something he had always hoped for.

Mertle Altschaft, Cousin of Deceased

“He wanted us to unite, to live in unity, everybody that – this one don’t talk that one. This one don’t – he wanted that to stop. He wanted us to live with peace, love, understanding, and forgiveness in our heart. Each and individual. He touch their life in some way and whatever way he touch your life, he asking you to remember the good things, not the bad things.”

Michelle Andrewin shared that the pain of losing her husband cuts as deeply as the pig’s tusk that took his life.

Michelle Andrewin

“I’m trying to be strong. I’m trying my best. I’m trying my best. I don’t know how I’m feeling right now. I’m trying my best to be okay.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Canadian National Falls to Death at Watermark Hotel in San Pedro

Chaos erupted in San Pedro over the weekend after two tragic incidents where people fell to their deaths. On Sunday, a Canadian national was found dead after a fall at the Watermark Hotel. Reports say that forty-seven-year-old Loran Radchenko was socializing in a room on the third floor of the hotel into the early hours of Sunday morning. He was discovered at the bottom of the building just before eight a.m. The Watermark Hotel issued a statement expressing condolences to Radchenko’s grieving friends and family. They reaffirmed their commitment to the well-being, comfort, and care of all guests. The hotel also stated, “We are fully supporting local authorities as they review the circumstances surrounding the incident. To honor the privacy of those involved, we will not be providing additional details at this time. We believe it’s important to acknowledge that emotional health is an essential part of overall well-being. If you or someone you know needs support, resources are available”. Here’s ACP Hilberto Romero with the official report.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday twenty-seventh day of April, 2025, around eight twenty A.M., police responded to the discovery of a body outside of the Watermark Hotel in San Pedro. Upon the arrival, they saw the lifeless body of a male person with head injuries. He was later identified as Lauren Radchenko. A Canadian national information is that Loran was staying at the hotel for the night then his body was discovered in the yard outside of the room. An investigation is being carried out. Several persons have been brought in for interview.”

Reporter

“Was he in the company or prior?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, we have information that he was in the company of other persons at the room but the left sometime during the night.”

Reporter

“Had they been drinking?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes. That’s the information we have yesterday had been drinking.”

Reporter

“Any surveillance footage?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, there is surveillance footage that is being reviewed and the investigation continues.”

Who was Loran Radchenko?

Police are still investigating the shocking death of forty-seven-year-old Loran Radchenko. Witnesses say the street was chaotic after his body was found at the bottom of the Watermark Hotel, where he had rented a condo. Although Radchenko had been socializing at the hotel that night, friends confirmed he wasn’t a tourist. San Pedro residents say he had been living in Belize for about four to five years, owned a house, and ran a business here. We spoke with his girlfriend earlier today, who shared what kind of person he was before his tragic death.

On the Phone: Girlfriend of Deceased

“He’s a businessman. Everything that has to do with money, that’s his love. And he have a beautiful daughter and a wonderful son at the same time. What I could say is that he was so loving to everyone. There was nothing that I could say that anyone would ever say that he is a bad person. He was well known on the island and he was well known.”

Britney Gordon

“How long were you two together?”

Girlfriend of Deceased

“We have approximately three to four.”

Britney Gordon

“And I understand you both had children. How was he interacting as a blended family with you? What was that like to see him in that kind of dynamic?”

Girlfriend of Deceased

“He was a father that I would say is more than, more than anything. He treats everyone the same. All my kids and both of them the same. He doesn’t have favoritism.”

Britney Gordon

“And in terms of his personality, you mentioned that he was very loving. Would you say that’s how the random person that meets him on the street could remember him?”

Girlfriend of Deceased

“I mean, everyone. He could not even know you and he would be there for you as you say something. He will help you out. He was such a nice person. Just this Saturday when we were coming home from work together, he brought home at least five person minutes pickup that he didn’t even know just to give them a drop because it’s a long distance that they have to walk.”

Mexican Construction Worker Falls to Death in San Pedro

The other tragic incident happened on Saturday, about three and a half miles north of San Pedro Town. Mexican national Hever Torres was working on the roof of a four-story building, using zinc sheets, when he fell through a weakened part of the roof. His colleagues rushed to help him, and emergency medical technicians were called to the scene. Sadly, Torres was pronounced dead at the Doctor Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic Two. ACP Hilberto Romero has more details.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, twenty-sixth day of April, 2025 police respondent to report in San Pedro where information received that the person that was working on a building had fallen to the ground. Police visited the area where they saw their lifeless body of Pedro Torres, a Mexican National with injuries, information that he was working at a building when he fell. His body was taken as awaiting a postmortem examination.”

Popular Belmopan Entrepreneur Dies Following RTA

Belmopan is mourning the loss of Skyler Williams, a beloved businessman who tragically died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday afternoon. Williams, thirty-four, was riding his motorcycle on George Price Boulevard with a female passenger when they collided with a van. The impact threw both off the bike, and sadly, Williams’ injuries were fatal. Known throughout the city as the life of the party and an exceptional chef, Williams’ death has left a void in the community. News Five’s Paul Lopez traveled to Belmopan to bring us more on this heartbreaking story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The sudden death of Skyler Williams, a thirty-four-year-old businessman from Belmopan, has deeply affected his community. Since his tragic passing in a traffic accident on Saturday, social media has been flooded with heartfelt condolences and memories of Williams. He was well-loved for his vibrant personality and culinary skills. Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold was one of the first to arrive at the scene near a grocery store on George Price Boulevard, just moments after the accident occurred.

Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold, First Responder

“I was trying to help with the young lady that got involved in the accident. He was just giving that young lady a ride. We were trying to calm her down because she was having a asthmatic attack and said she was asthmatic. She gave me some of the information of what happened. I walked back to Skyler, I still did not know it was him. His phone rang and I picked up the phone and saw a picture of him and I got hysterical. That dah my, not my blood brother. That is my brother. I stayed there with him. Mr. Simpson was also on the scene and we calmed him down. We stayed there for about fifteen or twenty minutes before the police came. The ambulance came about ten minutes after the police came, so we was laying on the ground for about twenty to thirty minutes before aid was rendered to him.”

Williams was driving his motorcycle along with a female passenger when they crashed into an oncoming van. Police say that an investigation is underway.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Police visited the area where the saw a motorcycle and a van with damages. Information is that a motorcycle being driven by Skyler Williams who had a passenger with him, and the van was being driven by Terresa Reyes, at some point the collided. Skyler Williams was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.”

Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold

“She said he was giving her a ride, taking her home and they were taking her into the Chinese to go to the store and the van was coming and I guess he was tyring to beat the turn before the van.”

Skyler Williams was cherished for his joyful personality and remarkable cooking skills. He made his living by catering delicious food to his customers. His mother, Danette Elijio, shared with News 5 that she taught Skyler how to cook when he was just ten years old.

On the Phone: Danette Elijio, Mother of Deceased

“Skyler was the first child to bless my womb. The one who gave me the title of mother. He was a uniquely talented individual, a gift that kept on giving even unto his last breath. At ten years old, I thought my son to cook and while he was growing up, often times we would get together on Sunday and share cooking skills. As he grew up he loved creative arts and did that best in his kitchen.”

Williams’ cousin, Gabriel Ramirez, shared similar sentiments about him.

Voice of: Gabriel Ramirez, Cousin of Deceased

“Skyler was a people person. I got a little money and we were about to, because Skyler is a food person. Everyone knows him as a food person. When people hear Skyler food they rush it because it is always quality and best. How he passed, the amount of people that show support for him that shows the kind of guy he was. I want to tell we Belmopan people, we lost a legend in Belmopan and I want to ask my people to remember him for the good ways he treated people.”

Petzold says he fought to the very end. But ultimately the injuries he sustained proved to be fatal.

Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold

“Skyler is a fighter and he fought for his life before they took him to that hospital. I stayed there until they took him to the stretcher. They got him ready to put him in the ambulance, put the neck brace on his neck. I stay there and I spoke to him. I said, Sky it is Chants. Stay there and fight, fight for your life we are getting help for you. I spoke to him. Skyler dah love, to know Skyler is to love Skyler even with his rough edges.”

Skyler Williams leaves behind three children. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Truck Loses Brakes and Crashes into Drain off Main Highway

This morning, a dump truck loaded with sand crashed into a drain off the George Price Highway. The truck was coming off Frank’s Eddy Road and onto the highway when its brakes failed. The driver managed to jump out of the moving truck, but his passenger wasn’t able to escape in time. We don’t have an official report on the incident yet, but we spoke with someone who witnessed the crash. Here’s what they had to say.

Richard Neal, Eyewitness

“We mih the yah when all of a sudden we saw the truck coming. It came we heard something like the brakes or something. Next thing we heard the jake brakes and it could not hold it up. We know it would go straight in, especially how it had load. We see the driver jumped out and Adrian, when I already took him out, he told us that the door couldn’t open that is why he could not jump out. He said his hand was giving trouble and his shoulder so he probably dislocated his shoulder. We pulled him out, because it was like a side on position. So, we took him out and since we are tour guides we told him to go on the side and he just wouldn’t go on the side because the pain he was in. he got a big buss on his head. Even me, the position he was I thought his neck or hand broke but it was not that bad at least.”

Murder Charges Dropped: Two Suspects Freed Amid Missing Witness Controversy

Tonight, two men, one from Belize City and another from Roaring Creek, are free from murder charges. George Hyde, twenty-six, and Devaun Garcia, nineteen, were accused of the shooting death of eighteen-year-old Eaton Thompson. Hyde was twenty-three and Garcia was only sixteen when they were charged. Their murder trial came to an unexpected end when the crown counsel dropped the case in the middle of the trial. The reason? He couldn’t locate his key witness, whose testimony was crucial. On April fifteenth, the crown called two witnesses to testify about the difficulties police faced in finding the witness, despite visiting his work and home. Two weeks ago, the crown requested one more adjournment. Today, defense attorney Simeon Sampson, who represented Garcia, was ready to challenge the admissibility of the witness’s statement. He expected the crown to try to enter the witness’ statement into evidence, but instead, they dropped the case. At around 2:15 this afternoon, the crown counsel informed the court they would discontinue the case against Hyde and Garcia. Justice Candace Nanton released the men but reminded them that it does not mean an acquittal. She warned that the murder charges could be reinstated at any time. Sampson explained that the crown’s witness had given police two statements. In the first, he claimed he saw Garcia and Hyde shoot Eaton Thompson while riding his bicycle. Six months later, he recanted, saying he was forced to give the first statement. Eaton Thompson, a resident of Mahogany Heights, was sent to buy tacos for his mother but was tragically gunned down that morning and never made it back home.

Alifah Elrington Steps Down as Head of Prosecution Branch, Returns to Private Practice

Alifah Elrington is stepping down from her role as head of the Prosecution Branch at the end of July. Elrington has been with the Government of Belize for the past six years. This morning, we caught up with her at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where she was handling an old case involving a Mexican national and four others, including a female police officer, charged with guns and ammunition after a drug bust in Orange Walk. Elrington confirmed that she had tendered her resignation. She explained that she was appointed as a Senior Crown Counsel with responsibility for the Prosecution Branch six years ago. Now, she’s returning to private practice as an attorney. Elrington mentioned that she had over seventy days of leave outstanding at the end of December 2024, which is why she’s taking immediate leave. During her tenure, Elrington prosecuted many high-profile cases, including the case against Elmer Nah, his wife Epifania Caliz, and his brother-in-law Manuel Caliz, which ended in acquittal. She also handled several cases against police officers and numerous sex crime cases in recent years. Elrington was the prosecutor in the case against former police officer Darrel “Tutsi” Usher, son of Minister Gilroy Usher Jr., who was acquitted of firearm and ammunition charges on April 23, 2024. Her most recent case involved charges being withdrawn against COMPOL Williams’ brother, Arthur Roy Williams. Elrington also prosecuted former police officer Dean Bellini, who was convicted and sentenced to three years in 2023 by then Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply marijuana, following an Orange Walk bust.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Commends PM Briceño in Key Call

Secretary of State Marco Rubio didn’t make it to Belize during his recent whirlwind visit to the Caribbean, but he called Prime Minister John Briceño this morning. Rubio wanted to emphasize the importance of the U.S.-Belize partnership and congratulate Briceño on his March 12th election victory. He recognized Belize’s significant efforts to counter illegal immigration, support Haitian security efforts, and combat transnational organized crime. Secretary Rubio and Prime Minister Briceño discussed tariffs and Belizean commitment and engagement with both the ICJ and Guatemala regarding the Sarstoon River. Secretary Rubio thanked Belize for its efforts as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti. Additionally, Secretary Rubio committed to working with Prime Minister Briceño to strengthen the investment climate for U.S. firms in Belize. The call concluded with both leaders expressing their commitment to deepen the strong and cooperative relationship between the United States and Belize.

Bush Fire Destroys Property; Claims Life

On Saturday, a bush fire in Hattieville Village turned tragic, burning down a small home and claiming the life of its owner. The victim, sixty-three-year-old Gerald Hamilton, was a friend, neighbor, and employee of Godwin Smith. Smith told News Five that Hamilton had helped put out a bush fire in the morning but felt sick afterward and went to lie down. Unfortunately, when another bush fire spread to Hamilton’s house early that afternoon, no one realized he was still inside. The fire quickly engulfed the home, and when villagers checked the scene, Hamilton was already dead. Godwin Smith, who was a close friend of Hamilton, shared this heartbreaking story.

Godwin Smith, Friend of Deceased

“My oldest son is forty-three years old, and he mind him from baby. I was living in Gracie Rock and he was there with me. I come here and we met here. So every day he come at my house, we sit down out there just to wait to see when he get in at his house. He out a first fire then apparently he went in his house. He went in the house and the car. He tell my daughter he feel bad and he went in the house. So. my place start catch over there and my daughter went over there. When he went over there, my son called from Belize and tell the wife to come and hail Gerald mek Gerald help her out the fire. But when they come here, the door was open and the bike was there and they only knock on the wall and we hail Gerald but Gerlad nuh answer, so they said Gerald mussi gone. So when I come, immediately I come and I help them out there. When I start helping them out there, then somebody passed by, one truck passed by and tell wi look, one house di burn down here. So I left the hog pen di burn and when I run come here, my daughter tell me Gerlad bike was there too. And then I tell ah definite if Gerald bike there, then Gerald in the house. The house was burned down. When I look, I see another fire sparks open when I look there, I see Gerald head and I see a pelvis. That’s why I call some people and say a body is down here. Gerald’s body is down here.”