Three American women were found dead under mysterious circumstances at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize, on Saturday, prompting local authorities to investigate the case as possible drug overdoses. Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, all originally from Revere, Massachusetts, were discovered unresponsive by hotel staff early Saturday morning, having reportedly failed to respond to attempts to contact them since the previous day.
According to Belizean police, the trio remained inside their suite throughout Friday after surveillance footage showed them entering their room on Thursday night. When staff had not heard back from the women by Saturday, they used a master key to enter the room, only to find the women motionless.
"The police did a thorough search of the scene, along with the pathologists and scenes of crime. There was nothing of substance found other than alcohol and some gummies," Police Commissioner Chester Williams reported. He indicated the investigation is exploring whether the gummies were brought from the U.S. or purchased locally. The police noted there were no signs of forced entry or visible injuries.
First responders indicated the presence of froth on the women's mouths, which may suggest overdoses occurred, but the definitive cause of death has not been confirmed. "Based on what the pathologist said when he visited on Saturday evening, they could have been dead 20 hours prior," Williams added. This timeline places their death around Thursday night or early Friday morning.
The women, of Moroccan descent but U.S. citizens, were visiting Belize to celebrate El-Arar’s 26th birthday. Family and friends quickly gathered to express their grief and raise funds to cover the costs of bringing the bodies back to the U.S. and for funeral expenses. Mayor of Revere, Patrick M. Keefe Jr., issued a statement emphasizing the community's heartache: "These are daughters, friends, and contributors to our city, and I have heard widespread concern from the families and community members about the lack of transparency..."
A vigil was held Tuesday night for the three women, attended by family and friends who honored their memories with touching tributes. Community sentiment has echoed the need for accountability and clarity from the Belizean authorities overseeing the investigation.
Online fundraisers for each woman have raised significant amounts, totaling more than $90,000 by Thursday afternoon. This support underlines both the love shared for the women and the community's urgent need for answers. Friends recounted El-Arar's vibrant spirit amid sorrow. "She was so proud of this birthday trip and would not have wanted it to end this way," Destiny Borges-Kelley told reporters.
Authorities from the Massachusetts chief medical examiner’s office plan to conduct autopsies once the bodies are returned to the U.S., aiming to shed light on the factors contributing to their deaths. Investigators are currently examining hotel room surfaces for drugs or chemicals and sending toxicology samples to U.S. law enforcement for analysis. Gian Cho, the executive director of the Belize National Forensic Service, is working on what should be expected from the findings. "We should have an idea of what types of substances, if any, were found in the room by next week," Cho communicated.
The investigation continues as police work to gather evidence and reports. Community leaders have expressed their viewpoints, advocating for more detailed communication from the investigation team and Belizean authorities as they navigate their roles moving forward.
The deaths of Naqqad, Mallah, and El-Arar have shocked not only their families and friends but also the broader community, raising many questions and apprehensions as authorities work to piece together the unfortunate events of the women’s last days.