Three young American women were tragically found de@d in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in Belize while on vacation. The women, identified as 23-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, 24-year-old Imane Mallah, and 26-year-old Wafae El-Arar, were from Revere, Massachusetts, and had been staying at the luxury resort on Ambergris Caye in San Pedro Town.
According to Belize police, housekeeping staff attempted to contact the women multiple times on Friday after surveillance footage showed them entering their room on Thursday night and not leaving. When there was no response by Saturday morning, staff used a master key to enter the room and discovered the women deceased.
First responders reported finding froth on the women’s mouths, suggesting a possible drug overdose, though the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed. Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated that a thorough search of the room revealed “nothing of substance other than alcohol and some gummies.” He emphasized that while the gummies are being investigated, there is no confirmation they caused the deaths.
Authorities found no signs of forced entry or visible injuries in the room, which also contained snacks, liquids, vapes, and electronic devices. Commissioner Williams noted that the pathologist estimated the women had been de@d for approximately 20 hours before they were discovered.
The trio had been scheduled to return home to Massachusetts on Sunday. The City of Revere expressed its condolences in a Facebook post, stating, “The City of Revere extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the three local women who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Belize.”
In December, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Belize due to high levels of crime, including violent incidents such as sexual assault, armed robberies, and murders, even in tourist areas. Investigations into the women’s deaths are ongoing, with authorities examining their activities and consumption prior to their deaths.
