Family members of three women found dead in a Belize hotel room are grieving hard and letting their pain be known.
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Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, were found dead at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro Town, Belize. Hotel staff found them Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Bird of Paradise Suite. They'd checked in three days earlier, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, according to
7 News Belize.Police named them Monday, Feb. 24, the Associated Press reported. Authorities are digging into what happened. And while there's not yet an official cause of death, cops suspect drug overdoses might be the culprit, per multiple news outlets.
For now, the girls' families teamed up for a statement to People. They pushed Belize and U.S. authorities to dig deep and keep the investigation open.
"We need a thorough, transparent investigation," they said, adding too much feels "unclear and suspicious." They also asked for prayers, patience, and space. "This sorrow cuts deep," they added.
Family Clings to Memories
Naqqad, the baby of four siblings, held a tight spot in her family. "She brought joy, laughter, and love," they said. She was described as caring big, always putting others first with a kind word or a ready ear. A college kid, she worked at a group home for troubled teens, dreaming of policing. She'd booked a Morocco trip with her parents for summer.
Mallah lit up lives, too, per the statement. "She radiated kindness," her family said. She grabbed life full-on, treasuring everyone around her, citing a contagious smile. Her wit sparkled, and her optimism never quit, the statement read. Friends called her a warm light in dark times. It added that she listened closely, making folks feel seen. "Her laughter spread, her stories mixed humor and wisdom," they added.
El-Arar, just 26, buzzed with dreams and faith, the statement read. She dove into women's health as a research tech at Massachusetts General Hospital. Reproductive rights drove her -- she wanted real change. She'd just co-authored a journal article after months of work, aiming to help women globally. Her niece and nephew adored their "fun-loving aunt." She bonded tight with her younger sister over faith. "She was caring, funny, humble, and so giving," her family said. "A light snuffed out too soon."
I heard the cops are still searching for the donut.