Three Massachusetts women were discovered deceased at a beach resort in Belize, sparking an investigation into the cause of their untimely deaths. The victims, Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, were found unresponsive in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on a Saturday.
The resort staff had attempted to contact the women several times on Friday after noticing they had not left their room since the previous night. When there was no response by Saturday, the hotel personnel entered the room and found the women unresponsive.
The exact cause of their deaths is yet to be confirmed. However, first responders reported that the women had froth around their mouths, a symptom often linked to drug overdoses. The initial assessment by the pathologist suggested that the women could have been dead for approximately 20 hours before they were discovered.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated that a comprehensive search of the scene was conducted, yielding no significant findings other than alcohol and some gummies. Williams clarified that while the gummies are not being directly linked to the cause of death, all possibilities are being explored. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the women brought the gummies with them or acquired them locally.
The police are also attempting to trace the women’s activities on Thursday before they returned to their room. There were no signs of forced entry or visible injuries on the women. The room contained snacks, liquids, vapes, and other electronic devices.
Online fundraisers have been established for each woman, raising over $25,000 by Tuesday morning to assist with repatriating their bodies to the US and covering funeral expenses. Local media reported that the women were of Moroccan descent but held US citizenship. The city of Revere confirmed that all three women were residents and shared links to their family’s fundraisers.
The police investigation into this tragic incident is still ongoing.