A former Colorado real estate developer was fatally shot in what police suspect was a targeted attack by a hitman at his luxury Caribbean beach resort. Boris Mannsfeld, 56, was found dead on Feb. 21 at the Villas of Cocoplum in Maya Beach, Belize.
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He had a gunshot wound to the back of his neck, according to Breaking Belize News, via the New York Post.
Mannsfeld was a well-known figure in the Belize real estate market. He founded Boris Mannsfeld and Associates and had heavily invested in the area. His Belize property was often described as a "barefoot paradise."
He had been in and out of Belize since the 1990s, eventually building his home and making significant investments in the area, including the Villas of Cocoplum, his first major project.
The killing raised questions due to the recent deaths of two of Mannsfeld's associates, Ricardo Borja and Darren Taylor. Both men were killed in separate incidents over the past two years. Borja was shot and killed in September 2023, while Taylor was killed in April 2024. No suspects have been linked to either death.
Alleged Hitman In Custody
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams described Mannsfeld's murder as "a hit" in a press conference. Authorities believe there may be a connection between the three deaths, though no official links have been confirmed.
Mannsfeld had been involved in a legal dispute over a "massive fraud case" involving millions of dollars, as reported by Breaking Belize News. In January, he referenced the case in an email, claiming his former Colorado associate had stolen assets.
Frik De Meyere, a suspect with ties to Mannsfeld's death, has been taken into custody. De Meyere was previously sought in connection with Borja's murder, but no charges have been filed. The case remains open. Several individuals have been charged in connection to Taylor's murder and are awaiting trial.
Mannsfeld had fallen in love with Belize during his first trip in 1992, visiting annually ever since. In addition to his real estate ventures, he was a founder of the Placencia Volunteer Fire Department and served as a sworn Belize police officer.
