Three women from Revere, Massachusetts, were found dead at a beach resort in Belize, with authorities suspecting a possible drug overdose. The deceased, identified as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, were discovered unresponsive in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Saturday.
The resort staff had tried to reach the women multiple times on Friday after surveillance cameras captured them entering their room the previous night and not leaving. When there was no response by Saturday, the hotel personnel entered the room and found the women unresponsive.
While the exact cause of their deaths remains unconfirmed, first responders reported finding the women with froth around their mouths, a sign often associated with drug overdoses. The women could have been dead for approximately 20 hours before they were found, according to the pathologist’s initial assessment.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated that a thorough search of the scene was conducted, revealing no significant findings other than alcohol and some gummies. “We’re not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” he said. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the women brought the gummies with them or purchased them locally.
Williams also mentioned that the police are trying to trace the women’s activities on Thursday before they returned to their room. There were no signs of forced entry or visible injuries on the women. The room contained snacks, liquids, vapes, and other electronic devices.
Online fundraisers have been set up for each woman, raising over $25,000 by Tuesday morning to assist with repatriating their bodies to the US and covering funeral expenses. Local media reported that the women were of Moroccan descent but held US citizenship. The city of Revere confirmed that all three women were residents and shared links to their family’s fundraisers.
The police investigation into the tragic incident is still ongoing.