Three young women from Revere, Massachusetts, were discovered dead in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize. Authorities have attributed the cause of death to acute pulmonary edema, which is fluid accumulation in the lungs.
The victims, identified as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Wafae El-Arar, 26, and Imane Mallah, 24, were found in their beachfront accommodation. Resort staff used a master key to gain access after multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the women.
The Belize police report indicates that surveillance video showed the women entering their room on the night of February 20, 2025, but not exiting. The hotel staff tried to contact them throughout Friday and, receiving no response, entered the room on Saturday morning to discover the unresponsive women.
According to Belize authorities, no signs of forced entry or visible injuries were discovered at the scene. The hotel room contained alcohol and gummies, and the surveillance footage is currently under review.
First responders reported froth around the women’s mouths, which could be indicative of a drug overdose. However, this theory has been questioned by the victims’ friends and family.
Concerns about the transparency and thoroughness of the Belize authorities’ investigation have been raised by the Revere community, where the women resided. A source close to the investigation reported that the community believes the truth will only be revealed once autopsies are conducted in the United States.
Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe has voiced his concerns about the lack of clear information being provided to the families and community, calling for more transparency from Belizean authorities.
According to one report, the families of the women have expressed doubts about the overdose theory, stating that the women were responsible and their behavior did not align with an overdose scenario.
The Massachusetts Medical Examiner will perform the autopsies once the bodies are repatriated. Recent reports indicate that the bodies were slated to be returned to the U.S. this past weekend.
The Belize Forensic Science Service officially determined the cause of death as acute pulmonary edema, but the triggering factor is yet to be identified. Carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out.
The police found snacks, liquids, vapes, and other electronic devices in the room, in addition to the alcohol and gummies. All these items have been collected for further testing to identify any potential link to the deaths.
The U.S. Department of State is keeping a close eye on the investigation.
The advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State classifies Belize under a level 2 travel advisory, urging increased caution due to high rates of violent crimes, including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder, even in tourist areas and during daylight hours.
The advisory further highlights that “local law enforcement lacks the necessary resources and training to respond effectively to serious crimes, and most cases remain unsolved and unprosecuted.”
Despite these alarming issues, Belizean officials underscore that such incidents are rare in the country and see no reason to halt travel to Belize.
The deceased women, reportedly of Moroccan descent, were well-known in their Revere, Massachusetts community. The city has expressed condolences to their families and friends as they await more detailed information about the deaths.
