Kaoutar Naqqad; Imane Mallah.Photo:GoFundMe
GoFundMe
Police are investigating the deaths of three American women who were found dead at a hotel in Belize over the weekend, according to reports.
On Monday, Feb. 24, police in Belize identified the victims who were staying at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort, located in San Pedro Town, as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, according to theAssociated Press. The trio had checked into the resort’s Bird of Paradise Suite on Feb. 19, according to local media outlet7 News Belize.
Housing staff tried on numerous occasions to contact the three women on Friday after surveillance footage showed they hadn’t exited their rooms since they entered on Thursday night, per AP. A master key was then used to enter on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. local time, where staff found the three women dead, according to 7 News Belize.
The cause of their deaths is yet to be confirmed, AP reported, adding that officials are investigating the deaths as possible drug overdoses. The outlet also reported that first responders found the women with froth on their mouths, suggesting a possible drug overdose.
“The bodies exhibited no signs of injuries, police also saw inside the room what appeared to be vomiting beside each female,” Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police, said in a news conference, per local media outletNews 5 Belize.
San Pedro Town in Belize.Oli Eva/Getty
Oli Eva/Getty
“This is one of the cases where we invited the pathologists to come to the scene as well so they could assist the police in navigating the scene with a view to see what can be found of evidential value,” Williams said.
“The police did a thorough search of the scene, along with the pathologists and scenes of crime,” he continued. “There was nothing of substance that could have been found other than alcohol and some gummies."
“We’re not saying at this time that the gummies cause death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” he added.
Kaoutar Naqqad.GoFundMe
According to AP, police found no signs of forced entry into the hotel room. Snacks, liquids, vapes and other electronic devices were also found in the women’s room.
Williams said in the news conference that police are awaiting the results of a postmortem to assist their investigation. As well as testing levels of carbon monoxide, 7 News Belize reported that investigators are “reviewing surveillance footage and collecting statements.”
Imane Mallah.GoFundMe
AGoFundMeset up in memory of Kaoutar Naqqad describes her as a “beloved Muslim sister, daughter, and friend.” It has raised over $23,000 of its $35,000 goal as of Tuesday morning.
Imane Mallah’s father wrote on aGoFundMeset up in memory of her, “No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the loss is overwhelming.” The page has so far raised over $32,000 of its $35,000 goal.
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source: people.com
