Families of 3 American women found dead in Belize deeply alarmed by reports about resorts carbon monoxide levels
The families of three young American women found dead at a Belize beach resort said they are “deeply alarmed” by new reports suggesting carbon monoxide levels were high — and are demanding answers about the “suspicious” deaths.Kaoutar Naqqad, 23; Imane Mallah, 24; and Wafae El-Arar, 26 — all from Revere, Mass.— were found dead at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Feb.
22.Their deaths were initially ruled to be from “acute pulmonary edema,” or a buildup of fluid in the lungs — but police announced last week that they have ordered a second round of testing at the hotel after other guests reported fears of high-levels of carbon monoxide.The women’s families called the development “deeply alarming,” while questioning why they have not been given the full toxicology results.“We continue to believe the deaths of Wafae, Imane and Kaoutar are suspicious,” the families said in a statement to Boston.com“We are hopeful that authorities will fulfill their responsibility to complete their reviews in a timely but thorough manner to ensure we know the full truth about what caused this tragedy.”The families also raised suspicions over how the resort “suddenly closed without public explanation” temporarily earlier this month.“We believe the families of all guests — past and future — deserve a clear explanation for this action,” their statement stressed.“We respectfully urge the resort’s management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately, so that no other family has to endure the unimaginable pain we must now bear.”Belize police said they found alcohol and gummies in the friends’ room at the resort after the group did not respond to employees’ repeated attempts to contact them.Their bodies showed no signs of external injuries and vomit was found near each of the women, Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said last month.
Friends and family of the women, however, doubted the t...