Police suspect carbon monoxide poisoning may have killed three American women found dead last month at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. Authorities are intensifying their probe as new evidence emerges.
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On Feb. 24, Belize officials named the victims: Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26. The trio checked into the resort's Bird of Paradise Suite on Feb. 19, 7 News Belize reported. Staff discovered their bodies three days later, on Feb. 22.
Initially, police eyed a possible drug overdose. That theory shifted after recent developments. Commissioner Chester Williams announced a second round of carbon monoxide tests at the hotel during a March 19 news conference, captured by
7 News Belize. He pointed to past guests who flagged high levels of the deadly gas."Those visitors tested with their own devices and detected carbon monoxide," Williams said. Results from official tests remain pending. Meanwhile, the resort shut its doors temporarily amid the investigation. Uncertainty lingers over whether it has reopened.
Williams expects toxicology reports within two weeks. "Those findings will guide us on what caused these deaths," he told reporters. He urged patience, avoiding speculation until data arrives.
Deaths of Women a Mystery
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that carbon monoxide -- an odorless, colorless gas -- kills hundreds annually in the U.S. alone. Gas furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills often produce it, the CDC notes. Symptoms strike without notice, making it a silent threat.
The women's families voiced alarm in a statement to NBC News. "Reports of dangerous carbon monoxide levels at the hotel deeply trouble us," they said. "The resort's sudden closure without explanation raises more questions." They demand transparency for all guests, past and future.
Authorities transferred the bodies to Massachusetts, the women's home state, NBC News reported. Friends and family have pressed for answers since Williams mentioned finding alcohol and gummies in the room, per Channel 5 Belize. "We're not pinning this on gummies yet," he said earlier. "Every angle stays open."
The shift to carbon monoxide as a potential culprit marks a dramatic turn. Initial overdose suspicions drew pushback from loved ones. Now, the focus is sharpening on hotel safety. Previous guests' claims bolster the theory, prompting urgent retesting.
For now, the investigation races against time. Families await clarity on a tragedy that cut short three young lives. Police vow to uncover the truth, as the resort's role in this mystery looms large. Answers could reshape safety standards for travelers worldwide.
