Three Massachusetts women found dead at Belize resort
Three tourists from Massachusetts were found dead at a beach resort in Belize under mysterious circumstances.
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Three young Massachusetts women found dead at a beach resort in Belize had a build-up of fluids in their lungs, investigators told a Boston news station.
The investigators told WBZ News that they’re still trying to figure out what caused the build-up of fluids in the three women, identified as 23-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, 24-year-old Imane Mallah and 26-year-old Wafae El-Arar, Channel5Belize and 7NewsBelize reported.
Investigators are conducting tests on hotel room surfaces for drugs or chemicals and sending toxicology samples to U.S. detectives to analyze what was in the women’s systems, both of which will help determine a cause of death, police told WBZ.
“So by next week we should have an idea of what types of substances, if any, were found in the room,” Gian Cho, executive director of the Belize National Forensic Service, said in a statement provided to Channel5Belize.
The women were from the Boston suburb of Revere, where a vigil was held to remember the women on Tuesday.
“The City of Revere extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the three local women who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Belize,” a Facebook post from the city said.
What happened to the women?
The trio were reportedly staying at Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, and their bodies were discovered by hotel employees in their suite on Saturday morning.
Police obtained security footage showing the women entering their room on Thursday, noting that they did not leave and nobody was captured going inside, according to local reports.
“Based on what the pathologist said when he visited on Saturday evening is that they could have been dead 20 hours prior, so that would take us back to Friday or Thursday that they eventually died,” police Commissioner Chester Williams said, according to local news outlets.
A celebration turned tragic
A vigil held on Tuesday night to honored the women, who were in Belize to celebrate El-Arar’s 26th birthday, friends told WBZ Boston.
“I was just with them last week,” Destiny Borges-Kelley told WBZ. “Monday I was with Wafae shopping for the trip, and she was showing me what she was buying and getting her nails done. She would not stop talking about it.”
The Revere community and the women’s families want more answers from Belize authorities.
“We’re getting stonewalled. Belize people are just saying their side of the story but I’m sure there’s more to it and I know we can’t wait until the kids come home,” Revere City Councilor Ira Novoselsky said.
As everyone searches for more answers, the community continues to reel from the loss of three bright women.
“They all were growing in life they had plans, they were doing good job wise they just wouldn’t do the stuff the people said they were doing,” Borges-Kelley said.
GoFundMe pages have been set up
GoFundMe pages have been set up by each of the victim’s families.
“With a heavy heart, I share the tragic loss of my beloved daughter, Imane, who passed away in a heartbreaking accident. No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the grief is overwhelming,” Imane’s father said.
Naqqad and El-Arar’s families both expressed their great sadness following the news.
“She was a bright, kind, and loving soul who touched the hearts of everyone she met,” El-Arar’s family said.
“Her loss has deeply impacted all who knew her,” Naqqad’s family said.
More than $90,000 had been raised in total between all three fundraisers as of Thursday afternoon.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.