Results of an autopsy are pending at the Belize City Morgue, local police said. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted, it added. But we are now witnessing more serious crimes creep into the south and out to the islands where the tourists go. "On the bus I felt safe but I would not want to be off the bus," said Brian Mielke, a Naperville resident. An American woman disappeared over the weekend while vacationing in Belize, authorities said. 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ANNUAL MAJOR CRIMES STATISTICS 1 file(s) Following the murder of tourist Dr. GarySwank, 53, in San Pedro last week, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has reported that as of yesterday, seven properties across the country have seen tourists cancel trips scheduled for November, December and even January 2020. Authorities say its complicated because of the proximity to the Guatemala border. This story has been shared 130,601 times. Dont look wealthy, dont flash cash, dont get too drunk, and so on. Alison MacKenzie is pictured in this undated handout photo. What about now? Officials said Swanks murder was one of four deadly incidents across the country in a four-day period, local news outlet Amandala reported. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. "What we say to all tourists is that you should be situationally aware, be cautious and just be aware of your surroundings," Pike said. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. In this part of the world, the most popular places for Americans and Chicagoans are also the most remote and the most difficult to get to, especially after a night of rain. Jerry Espat was killed in October in the waters off Ambergris Caye, while taximan Leo Skeen was killed at his home. They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. San Pedro has long enjoyed peace and security as a result of strong, disciplined Police presence and solid community support, he said. "Things happen, and it's super sad, and you don't want to be that person," said Natalie Shellworth, an American tourist. Pretty much every visitor toRead More Is Guatemala City Safe? As far as if its safe to come to Belize, I say yes as long as you keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2020. "At 8 a.m. yesterday, Anne went to the Mopan River to do her yoga practice," said Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu. If youre moving here, get involved with a Neighborhood Watch scheme they do exist here. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm near a tiny town called San Jose Succotz. Download. My first trip to Belize took me to Ambergris Caye and my research told me the usual stuff. Nothing says Keep Out like a sign that says I can make it to this gate in 2.3 seconds, can you?. U.S. Embassy officials urge visitors to Belize to travel only in groups, only during the day; avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables. Contact us at mrkt[emailprotected]kngblznw.m or call us at 501-601-0315. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. John Burgos, Executive Director of the BTIA spoke with Breaking Belize News (BBN) today, explaining that he attended a public meeting in San Pedro hosted by the Commissioner of Police. So far, six months into 2019, there are 70 murders and that is not counting those people still missing and those whose remains have yet to be identified, Briceno said. CHICAGO -- An American tourist was killed in Belize, and the victim was identified as Anne Swaney, executive producer of digital operations at our sister station, ABC7 Chicago. Please email us your news at [emailprotected]. The commander in charge of the Anne Swaney investigation says he received training in the U.S. from the FBI. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. "At 8:15 a.m. (Friday) the police search found her. Swanks colleagues and patients grieved the sudden loss of a seasoned, caring doctor. In January 2016, a vacationing news anchor from Chicago died in Cayo District. Violence in Cancun, for example, is quite common an attack on a bar there on Feb. 16 killed five people but most of the violence occurs far from the tourist zones along the beach. This stretch of winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head south. According to the National Safety Council's study of census data, the chances of being killed in the air are around 1 out of 205,552, and one in 102 for the car. Present at that meeting was also Minister of Tourism and Area Representative Manual Heredia Jr. and San Pedro Mayor Danny Gurrero. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Both men were rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where they were pronounced dead. In the Cayo District, armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. This should be a concern as Belize survives on tourism. According to reports, around 9 pm, American national Stephanie Nevis,34, was drinking at the resort when she was informed that the bar was closing. Until recently, the only notable murder involvement by a US citizen was the bizarre John McAfee situation on Ambergris Caye back in 2012. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). At least 125 murders were committed in Belize in 2021. Alison MacKenzie, 43, of Arizona, was among a group of tourists who on Friday embarked on an overnight excursion to Rendezvous Caye, a tiny island off the coast of Belize. The grisly slaying of a Virginia doctor coincided with a week-long bloodbath in Belize that left eight others murdered, according to a report. See the State Departments travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. Swank and popular local tour guide Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., also 53, went fly fishing in the San Pedro Town lagoon around 10 a.m. when a dark skiff passed by and someone opened fire on their small boat, local authorities told the San Pedro Sun. Wheres the Best Hospital Near Me in Central America? Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Chuck Goudie, Ann Pistone, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. Investigators said that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. And in May 2015, two American men were murdered in a suspected drug-related armed robbery. Respected Voice of Tourism. Advertising Opportunity Looking for Internet marketing, social media presence and direct email exposure to a Belizean oriented market of over 500,000 individuals every month? WebA Virginia doctor and his tour guide were murdered during a fly-fishing expedition in Belize, authorities said. They told the owner who called the police. The United States Embassy in the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguars Temple. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local news outlets that Belize officers arrested two men, charging them with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro town. In Central America, Belize is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Americans. Burgos explained that police made several commitments coming out of the meeting including adding 12 more constables for San Pedro, installing video cameras for 24-hour surveillance, obtaining Coast Guard support for boat patrols on lagoon and deep sea, drafting new legislation to keep the identity of witnesses protected, which will come after a meeting between the ComPol and the Prime Minister, and implementing new strategies to deal with gangs among others. Respect your surroundings and try to become one with your community. Police told the outlet they believe Graniel was the target because just a day earlier, a gunman reportedly fired shots outside his apartment complex, and one of the rounds penetrated his front door. US national killed in nightclub shooting #Belize 23 year old #LSU nursing student J'Bria Michelle Bowens an Indianapolis IN native lost her life Friday night 30 January 2022 when a gunman opened fire against a person outside Jaguar's nightclub on Ambergris Caye Belize. "Definitely it hits the entire industry of Belize for tourists," said Karen Pike, Belize Tourism Board. The passengers were on the Carnival Vista, which left out of Galveston. Police teams resumed searching Friday morning. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. WebThere have been a few high-profile murders of tourists and expatriates. The Belize murder rate is third highest in the world - more than twice the homicide rate of Chicago and higher than any U.S. city. The many Belizeans who are assaulted and the many businesspersons who are held at gunpoint, beaten and their establishment are robbed are a persistent reminder that crime continues to rise.. Its been a few years now since I moved to Belize and I think Ive assimilated well into my local community. The I-Team traveled to Central America after Anne was killed. WebGary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, was shot dead Sunday as officials say the tourist destination has become paralyzed by crime, Belize Live News reported. The entire Carilion family extends She was talking to another man around 8:30 p.m. in a yard when the mans wife showed up and stabbed her out of jealousy, according to Amandala. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Denver boy, 8, suffers horrific injuries in fall from horse during Belize vacation, Tropical Storm Lisa expected to become season's next hurricane as it approaches Central America, 'Godfather' director Francis Ford Coppola's island lists for $2.2M, Shark surprise: Mysterious Arctic species found lurking in Caribbean. Graniels body was discovered inside the boat with multiple apparent gunshot wounds, and Swanks body was found floating face-down in the lagoon, about 30 feet away from the boat also with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. All Rights Reserved. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. Alison MacKenzie, 43, was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye on Saturday. An autopsy shows that an American news producer found dead while staying in a vacation resort in Belize was strangled. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. Alison Mackenzie, 43, went missing early Saturday Hotel owner Santiago Juan tells ABC7 Chicago she was killed on "public land" near the hotel. WebA tourist from Arizona has gone missing while on a catamaran tour on Rendezvous Caye in Belize, police there said Wednesday. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize. Again, little news about this case or any arrests or convictions so far. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2019-2020. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. On Feb. 19, rival drug dealers opened fire at Art Beach Tulum, a restaurant on the outskirts of Tulum where an order of sea bass with asparagus risotto and seaweed cream goes for $35. Thanks for contacting us. Martinez was not known to the two men and the motive behind the shooting is unclear, authorities said. Business dealings? This murder remains unsolved. She was staying at an equine lodge last month when someone attacked her and dragged her body into the Mopan River. Increased level of Crime in Two South-side communities of Belize City force Government to Declare a State of Emergency in the areas. To date, there has been little released about this double murder or any hope of solving it. Download. They had been missing for nearly a week. Lets Talk About What Others Wont Crime In Belize. An official with the U.S. Department of State told ABC News in a statement, "We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize. Columbus-area measles outbreak was the nation's largest in 2022. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently MEXICO CITY -- The United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation. "She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees," said John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC7 Chicago. When they arrived near the seaside, they heard Nevis screaming for help. It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. And then just this month, a US retiree living in Hopkins was found, although arrests have been made in this case. We often hear I woke up and my computer/phone/purse was missing. But, he admits, Belize police - especially in rural sections such as his - really don't handle many murder investigations. This article contains a link (or links) to Amazon, from which, as an Amazon Associate, this website will earn a small commission if you make any purchases. They were identified as Ernest Wills Sr., 49, Travis Cooke, 23, Allison Jones, 19, Jamar Martinez, 23, and Winston Santos, 40. Our thoughts, prayers and attention are now focused on helping his family navigate this difficult time.. And Rhonda Saunders, a 10-year patient of Swanks, told FOX affiliate WFXR that she had 99 percent blockage in a blood vessel that the doctor had stented saving her life as well. We've received your submission. 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