Media Misinformation and International Public Outrage Over the Death of Young Women in Belize
Following the uproar caused by Belizean newspapers promoting false claims about the cause of death of young women Kaoutar Naqqad (23 years old), Imane Mallah (24 years old), Wafae Elarar (26 years old)—even before the completion of medical autopsies and with no respect for the sanctity of the deceased—the public reacted with strong and firm opposition to these allegations.
Social media platforms were flooded with a wave of questions directed at Belizean authorities, demanding an official clarification regarding the circumstances of the incident and urging them not to rush into conclusions without conclusive evidence.
Criminal science researchers from around the world also voiced their opinions on social media, pointing out that scientific evidence clearly indicates that the deaths were caused by inhalation of a leaking gas, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a severe condition that disrupts breathing and can result in death within a short period if immediate medical intervention is not provided.
Amid mounting pressure, Chester Williams, the Commissioner of Police in Belize and the highest-ranking officer in the Belize Police Department, issued an official press statement in an attempt to contain the growing controversy and provide clarifications regarding the ongoing investigation.
Official Police Statements on the Incident
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, following increasing public controversy over the circumstances of the incident, Chester Williams, the official spokesperson for the Belize Police, issued a formal statement to clarify the progress of the investigation and ease public concern.
Williams stated that authorities had discovered the bodies of three young American women of Moroccan descent—Kaoutar Naqqad (23), Imane Mallah (24), Wafae Elarar (26)—under mysterious circumstances inside a hotel room in San Pedro. He explained that they were found unconscious in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach resort on Saturday, with no visible injuries on their bodies. He also mentioned that evidence of drug and alcohol consumption was present in the room.
He confirmed that the initial autopsy indicated the cause of death was pulmonary edema (excessive fluid buildup in the lungs) but emphasized the necessity of a toxicology examination to determine the actual cause. He further stated that the investigation was still ongoing and that the police were working in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure accurate results.
On Thursday, February 27, Williams announced that police had ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning after two separate tests conducted by fire department officials returned negative results. He stated that the investigation was now focusing on possible drug consumption, though he admitted that the autopsy results had not yet been conclusive.
Meanwhile, Jian Cho, the Executive Director of the National Forensic Science Service in Belize, confirmed that the cause of death was acute pulmonary edema but clarified that investigations were still ongoing to determine the underlying factor, including the possibility of controlled substances at the scene.
On Saturday, March 1, Police Commissioner Chester Williams, in a media interview, reaffirmed that the investigation remained open but had not yet yielded conclusive evidence. He also noted that the victims had purchased a bottle of tequila and brought it to their room. However, forensic test results had yet to confirm whether the beverage contained any harmful substances.
Contradictions in Official Statements Raise International Suspicions
The case has sparked international outrage, particularly due to the glaring inconsistencies in the official statements issued by the Belizean police, further fueling doubts about the integrity of the investigation. Despite the authorities’ attempts to offer different explanations, their statements appeared inconsistent, leading to widespread reactions on social media. Activists and researchers accused the police of attempting to cover up facts that might be inconvenient.
Key Contradictions in Official Statements
1. Determining the Time of Death
• On February 25, Williams stated that the young women had died one day before they were discovered.
• Later, he suggested that the deaths might have occurred earlier, raising questions about the accuracy of the initial information.
2. Cause of Death
• On February 25, Williams announced that the preliminary autopsy indicated pulmonary edema as the cause of death but emphasized the need to await toxicology results. He also mentioned evidence of drug and alcohol consumption in the room, clarifying that authorities had not ruled out any possibilities and that the investigation was ongoing.
• On February 27, he reiterated that the cause of death was acute pulmonary edema and that the autopsy results were inconclusive. He stated that the police had ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning after two separate negative test results but noted that investigators were considering possible drug use and other toxic substances.
• Jian Cho, Executive Director of the National Forensic Science Service of Belize, confirmed that the cause of death was pulmonary edema but stated that investigations were still ongoing to identify the underlying cause. He added that authorities were examining the scene for controlled substances, including the possibility of other toxic agents, meaning that the poisoning theory had not been completely ruled out.
• On March 1, tequila emerged as a new factor in the case. In another media interview, Commissioner Chester Williams reaffirmed that the investigation remained open but had not yet produced conclusive evidence. He revealed that the victims had purchased a bottle of tequila and brought it to their room, but authorities were still awaiting lab test results to determine whether the bottle contained any harmful substances. This delay highlights the ongoing lack of definitive evidence.
3. Early Focus on the Drug Use Hypothesis
• From the beginning of the investigation, police focused on the hypothesis that the victims had consumed drugs and alcohol, despite the absence of toxicology results to confirm this claim.
Chester Williams, Belize Police Spokesperson, Shakes Things Up with a New Element: Tequila!
On March 1, Chester Williams turned the tables on everyone by dropping a bombshell: the introduction of tequila as a new factor in the case. He revealed that this element had become part of the investigation, confirming that authorities were still awaiting test results to determine whether the bottle of tequila purchased by the victims contained any toxic substances.
These developments only added to the mystery, as it became increasingly clear that no conclusive evidence had been found up to that point.
As contradictions in official statements continued to mount, suspicions about the integrity of the investigation grew stronger. This fueled public outrage, with activists questioning the authorities’ seriousness in uncovering the full truth.
Part Three {To Be Continued}
For full details on the case, please visit:
https://maglor.fr/mre/mysterious-death-three-young-women-belize-crime-or-deadly-negligence