3 North Shore women found dead in Belize

Three Revere residents were found dead this weekend in a suite at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort, where they were reportedly staying in San Pedro, Belize. 

The victims have been identified as Wafae El Arar, Kaoutar Naqqad, and Imane Mallah. They were found dead by hotel staff Saturday morning after they didn’t respond to a series of housekeeping calls Friday, and police are investigating their deaths as possible drug overdoses, ABC News reported.

According to Breaking Belize News, police said there were no signs of violence or foul play, but that there was alcohol and “gummies” found in the room, and the women had vomit and froth around their mouths, suggesting a potential overdose.

“We’re not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” said Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams to Breaking Belize News, adding that police are investigating whether the gummies were brought into the country or purchased locally.

The mayor of Revere said the information the Belizean authorities have provided has left the community with “too many questions.”

“I have heard widespread concern from the families and community members about the lack of transparency in this investigation, and the media narrative painted by Belizean authorities,” wrote Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. in a statement.

Citing the Department of State issuing a Level 2 Travel Advisory for Belize in December because of increased crime, Keefe said he would “exhaust all avenues, both domestic and abroad, to ensure a proper and fair analysis of this case.

Belize police did not respond to a request for comment for further information, but told Breaking Belize News that surveillance footage confirmed no one entered the room.

Naqqad, 23, Mallah, 24, and El Arar, 26, were U.S. citizens of Moroccan descent, according to Breaking Belize News.

In another Facebook post, the city shared GoFundMe pages that have been created for each of them. 

The GoFundMe pages, set up to cover funeral expenses and ease the financial burden on their families, have collectively raised more than $80,000 from over 1,700 donations.

El Arar’s family described her as “a bright, kind of loving soul who touched the hearts of everyone she met.”

Naqqad’s family said her loss “has deeply impacted all who knew her.”

“No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the grief is overwhelming,” wrote Mallah’s mother on her GoFundMe.