Three American women were found dead in their hotel room at a luxury beach resort in Belize, prompting an investigation into whether drugs played a role in their sudden deaths.
Belize authorities identified the victims as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, who had been vacationing at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort on Ambergris Caye in San Pedro Town.
Disturbing Discovery
Concerns arose when hotel staff noticed that the women had entered their room on Thursday night but had not reemerged. Repeated attempts to contact them on Friday were unsuccessful. On Saturday morning, housekeeping used a master key to enter the room and discovered all three women deceased.
Emergency responders reported that the women had froth on their mouths, a potential sign of a drug overdose, though the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities found alcohol, snacks, vapes, and gummies inside the room but noted no signs of forced entry or visible injuries.
“We’re not saying at this time that the gummies caused their deaths, but we’re looking at every possibility,” said Chester Williams, Belize’s Commissioner of Police.
Investigators are now examining where the women went on Thursday and what they may have consumed prior to their deaths. The initial pathology report suggests they had been deceased for approximately 20 hours before being discovered.
Families in Mourning
The women, all from Revere, Massachusetts, had been scheduled to return home on Sunday before tragedy struck.
Their families have expressed immense grief, remembering them as kind, loving, and full of life.
“No parent should ever have to endure such pain. The grief is overwhelming,” wrote Imane’s father on a GoFundMe page dedicated to her memory.
Safety Concerns in Belize
This incident comes amid broader concerns about safety in Belize. In December, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for the country, citing high levels of violent crime, including armed robberies, sexual assaults, and murders—even in tourist areas.
The City of Revere extended its condolences to the victims’ families, calling the tragedy devastating and unexpected.
As authorities continue their investigation, many questions remain about what led to the sudden deaths of these three young women.