Three young American women were tragically found dead in their hotel room at a luxury beach resort in Belize, with authorities investigating whether drugs played a role in their deaths.
Belize police identified the victims as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, who were vacationing at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort on Ambergris Caye in San Pedro Town.
Mysterious Discovery
Hotel staff grew concerned after surveillance footage showed the women entering their room on Thursday night but never emerging. When multiple attempts to contact them on Friday failed, housekeeping used a master key to enter the room on Saturday morning, where they found all three women deceased.
First responders noted the presence of froth on their mouths, which could indicate a possible overdose, though the official cause of death remains undetermined.
Investigation Underway
Authorities found alcohol, snacks, vapes, and gummies inside the room but 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 reviewing where the women visited on Thursday and what they may have consumed prior to their deaths. The pathologist’s initial assessment suggests they had been deceased for nearly 20 hours before being discovered.
Heartbreak at Home
The women, who were from Revere, Massachusetts, were set to return home on Sunday before the tragedy struck.
Their families have expressed profound grief, with loved ones remembering them as kind, bright, and loving souls.
“No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the grief is overwhelming,” Imane’s father wrote on a GoFundMe page created in her memory.
Safety Concerns in Belize
In December, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Belize, warning about violent crime, including armed robberies, sexual assaults, and murders—even in tourist areas.
The City of Revere extended condolences to the victims’ families, calling the tragedy unexpected and devastating.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to uncover what led to the shocking and untimely deaths of these three young women.
