Three young women from Revere, Massachusetts, were discovered dead in their beachfront hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize. The preliminary cause of death has been identified as acute pulmonary edema, a condition characterized by a buildup of fluid in the lungs.
The deceased, identified as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Wafae El-Arar, 26, and Imane Mallah, 24, were found by the hotel staff after a master key was used to access the room following several failed attempts to contact the women.
Per Belize police, the women were last seen entering their rooms on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, as captured on surveillance footage. The hotel staff attempted to reach them multiple times the following day. By Saturday morning, with no responses, the staff decided to enter the room, where they found the women unresponsive.
Belize authorities have reported that no signs of forced entry or visible injuries were found at the scene. The room contained alcohol and gummies, and the authorities are currently reviewing the surveillance footage.
First responders reported that the women had froth around their mouths, suggesting a potential drug overdose. This theory, however, has been disputed by friends and family of the victims.
According to a source close to the investigation, the community in Revere, Massachusetts, where the women hailed from, believes that a full investigation and autopsy in the United States will provide the answers they seek. They have expressed doubts about the transparency of Belize’s investigation.
Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe has expressed the need for more clarity from Belize authorities regarding the case, citing the lack of clear information provided to the families and the community.
According to reports, the victims’ families have said that the women were responsible individuals and did not engage in behavior that would put them at risk of an overdose.
The Belize Forensic Science Service confirmed that the women died of acute pulmonary edema. However, the exact cause of the condition remains undetermined. Potential carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out.
Police found snacks, beverages, vapes, and other electronic devices in addition to the alcohol and gummies in the room. All these items are being tested to ascertain if they played a role in the women’s deaths.
The U.S. Department of State is closely monitoring the ongoing investigation.
The advisory from the U.S. Department of State currently places Belize under a level 2 travel warning, advising increased caution due to high rates of violent crimes, including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder, even in tourist areas and during daylight hours.
The advisory also mentions that local law enforcement often lacks the resources and training to effectively respond to serious crimes, leaving most cases unresolved and unprosecuted.
Despite these concerns, officials in Belize have emphasized that such incidents are highly unusual and have assured that there is no cause for halting travel to Belize.
The victims, reportedly of Moroccan origin, were well-regarded in their community in Revere, Massachusetts. The city has extended its condolences to their families and friends as they wait for more detailed information about the deaths.