By Belize Live News Staff: The Belize Police Department is continuing its investigation into the deaths of three women found at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, with Commissioner Chester Williams providing new updates on the case.
During a press briefing, Williams stated that police, alongside pathologists and crime scene experts, conducted a thorough examination of the suite. The search uncovered alcohol and gummies, which are now being examined as part of the investigation. “We’re not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” Williams explained, adding that authorities are checking whether the gummies were brought into Belize or purchased locally.
Williams also revealed that surveillance footage shows the women entering their suite on Thursday, with no evidence of anyone else entering or the women leaving the room thereafter. The postmortem examination by the National Forensic Service is scheduled to take place today or tomorrow and is expected to provide key insights into the cause of death.
The three women, identified as 23-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, 24-year-old Imane Mallah, and 26-year-old Wafae El-Arar, were U.S. citizens of Moroccan descent. Hotel staff discovered their bodies after receiving no response during routine housekeeping checks. Police reports indicate that there were no signs of physical injury, though vomit and froth were found around the women’s mouths, raising suspicions of a possible overdose. Preliminary assessments suggest the women may have died approximately 20 hours before they were found.
The victims’ families are in communication with the U.S. Embassy, which is assisting with the investigation. Williams stated that authorities are reviewing all possible factors, including the women’s activities and what they may have consumed prior to their deaths. The investigation remains ongoing.
