Three American women’s vacation to Belize turned tragic as investigators zero in on carbon monoxide poisoning as the likely cause of death at a resort with a history of similar incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Three Massachusetts women—Wafae El-Arar, Imane Mallah, and Kaoutar Naqqad—were found dead in their room at Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize on February 22.
- Initial investigations point to carbon monoxide poisoning causing acute pulmonary edema, though Belizean authorities initially suggested a possible drug overdose.
- CCTV footage showed the women entering their room a day before their bodies were discovered, with pathology findings indicating they may have been deceased for 20 hours.
- The victims’ bodies have been returned to the US for second autopsies by the Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner, while families demand a thorough investigation.
- Reports indicate there have been other non-fatal carbon monoxide incidents at the same resort previously.
Mysterious Deaths at Belize Resort
Three American women from Revere, Massachusetts were found dead in their shared accommodation at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize on February 22, 2025. Wafae El-Arar, Imane Mallah, and Kaoutar Naqqad were discovered unresponsive in their room, with security footage showing they had entered the room a day before their bodies were found. Preliminary investigations suggest the women may have succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, which caused a fatal buildup of fluid in their lungs, known as acute pulmonary edema.
Early pathology findings indicate the women may have been deceased for approximately 20 hours before being discovered. First responders noted froth around the victims’ mouths, and investigators found alcohol and gummies in the room. This led to initial speculation about a possible drug overdose, a theory that outraged family members who called the deaths “suspicious” and demanded a more thorough investigation into the actual cause of the tragedy.
BELIZE
Breaking – Three American tourists found dead in Belize hotel room
Feb 26, 2025
Three American women were found dead in a hotel room at a beach resort in Belize, police said Monday, adding that officials were investigating the deaths as possible drug overdoses.#Belize… pic.twitter.com/awpucSupxm
— Abhay (@AstuteGaba) February 27, 2025
Investigation Developments
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams initially focused on multiple possibilities, including the contents of edible gummies found in the room. “We’re not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” Williams stated. However, as the investigation progressed, authorities increasingly considered carbon monoxide poisoning as the most likely cause. This shift came despite Belize Fire Chief Colin Gillett previously ruling out carbon monoxide as a factor.
“The bodies exhibited no signs of injuries,” said Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams. “Police also saw inside the room what appeared to be [vomit] beside each female.”
Human toxicology samples have been sent to the United States for further analysis, and the women’s bodies have been returned to the US for second autopsies by the Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner. The families of the deceased have expressed frustration with Belizean authorities, accusing them of lacking transparency and “stonewalling” the investigation. Family representative Ira Novoselsky voiced their concerns about officials’ handling of the case.
Resort Safety Concerns
Troublingly, reports have emerged of other non-fatal carbon monoxide incidents at the same resort, raising serious questions about safety standards and protocols at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. These previous incidents suggest a potentially dangerous pattern that may have culminated in this tragedy. The resort’s maintenance procedures and safety measures are now under intense scrutiny as investigators work to determine whether negligence played a role in the women’s deaths.
“We ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this profound sorrow,” stated the families of Naqqad, Mallah and El-Arar in a joint statement addressing their devastating loss.
The community response has been overwhelming, with over 1,000 people gathering in Revere, Massachusetts to mourn the three women. GoFundMe pages were established to assist with the costs of transporting the bodies back to the United States and covering funeral expenses. The substantial support demonstrates the impact these women had on their community and the void their passing has left in countless lives.
Sources:
- Three American women found dead at Belize resort ‘may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning’
- Horrifying case of three American women found dead in Belize takes a dramatic twist as new theory emerges
- Three American women found dead at Belize resort ‘may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning’
