The passengers were on the Carnival Vista, which left out of Galveston. By BBN Staff: An American national drowned on Wednesday night at Turneffe Island Resort. WebFormer Belize City Councilor and Justice of the Peace Rafael Chavez dies at 71 February 26, 2023 Crime Teenage woman held up in Belize City, loses jewelry and other valuables WebThe overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans themselves, but recent years have seen an increase in these types of crimes against tourists and expats. MEXICO CITY (AP) The United States Embassy in the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen 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. The incident could have far-reaching implications on the tourism sector, which when taken in the larger context of the services sector, helps account for over 50 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product. If he had not been the type of doctor that he was, I probably would not have seen him. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. "We Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. Brico stated he understands the outrage that exists in the community given the impact it can have on the vital tourism sector. A Few Words About the Costa Rica Murder Rate. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon. MEXICO CITY (AP) 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. Shortly thereafter, the assistant manager and the bartender went to look for her. What my research didnt tell me was about gunfire at night and conflicts at the Mexican border between drug runners. WebThe United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of an American tourist there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation, I was stunned, I was shocked, I had tears because I was so excited about seeing him at my next visit., The State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize, urging increased caution as violent crime such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. 2020, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Its also the only nightclub that opens after midnight. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. 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. The question is, will they stick? This murder remains unsolved. This stretch of winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head south. Martinez was not known to the two men and the motive behind the shooting is unclear, authorities said. No suspect has been released in the fishermens murders, but investigators believe pirates executed the five men and threw their bodies into the sea, the outlet reported. Swanks colleagues and patients grieved the sudden loss of a seasoned, caring doctor. But the I-Team has found dangers in paradise that you won't see in the travel brochures - including Belize, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. 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. The US State Department confirmed the incident, but provided no further comment. The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions, Williams told 7 News Belize. Breaking Belize News is able to offer a marketing package that uses internet, social media and email to reach over 500,000 Belizean-centric potential customers each month. But, he admits, Belize police - especially in rural sections such as his - really don't handle many murder investigations. Swank and his tour guide, Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., 53, were killed during a fly-fishing expedition in the San Pedro Town lagoon five days after a group of five fishermen were shot to death in Swallow Caye. 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. They told the owner who called the police. Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2020. The man, a Guatemalan national, maintains he was just fishing and was not involved in her death, police said. I never heard any of that stuff before arriving. They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. She apparently had planned to go on a horseback expedition Thursday morning, but when the group came up one animal short, Swaney stayed behind. This story has been shared 130,601 times. 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. Central America stories, info, news, and opinion coming to you from local and expat writers in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Published by Teresa Romero , Feb 17, 2022. WebToday we learned the tragic news that Carilion interventional cardiologist Dr. Gary Swank was found murdered in Belize, along with a local tour guide. All Rights Reserved. Burgos stressed that getting the situation under control is important to the economic wellbeing of the tourism sector so the BTIA will be following up with the relevant authorities on those commitments. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Become part of the Facebook community, like our Placencia Crime Watchgroupso you know whats happening in your area. The transit of drugs, particularly cocaine and precursor chemicals for methamphetamine, has risen. Today we learned the tragic news that Dr. Gary Swank, interventional cardiologist, medical director of Carilion Clinics Cardiac Catheterization Lab and an associate professor of internal medicine at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was found murdered, along with his local tour guide, in Belize yesterday, Chris Turnbull, director of corporate communications for Carilion Clinic, told the station. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no At least 125 murders were committed in Belize in 2021. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. WebThe police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. Police here do have a fairly high street presence. #BreakingNews #BelizeNews #StannCreekNews The body of Sherris Stringham was found last night by Police Officers near Pomona Village, 4 minors and 1 eighteen year old are said to be in Police Custody. In a statement, Briceo described Bowens death as a random act of terrorism. https://t.co/EWrcbLmyKs, Que Pasa Corozal (@QuePasaCorozal) September 1, 2018. News. Cruise ship visitors disembarking for a few hours while at the port have been targeted by scammers. Thanks for contacting us. 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. 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. "Definitely it hits the entire industry of Belize for tourists," said Karen Pike, Belize Tourism Board. Present at that meeting was also Minister of Tourism and Area Representative Manual Heredia Jr. and San Pedro Mayor Danny Gurrero. David Martinez, 23, reportedly was shot eight times by the gunmen, who ambushed him from the bushes in a Corozal Town yard. "On the bus I felt safe but I would not want to be off the bus," said Brian Mielke, a Naperville resident. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. WebCHICAGO -- 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. Crime Stoppers Belize says WE can be more active in the fight against CRIME! Last year, a record quarter-million flew off to their rich beaches, offshore diving spots and inland jungles, teeming with wildlife along great hiking trails and meandering rivers. Download. An 18-year old suspect was charged. Alison MacKenzie, 43, was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye on Saturday. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Authorities say its complicated because of the proximity to the Guatemala border. This couple from Naperville took a bus inland from their cruise ship and say they might not have gotten off had they known the crime stats. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. She was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize, on Jan. 18, 2020. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguars Temple. She was already dead on arrival. "What we say to all tourists is that you should be situationally aware, be cautious and just be aware of your surroundings," Pike said. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone. Officials said Swanks murder was one of four deadly incidents across the country in a four-day period, local news outlet Amandala reported. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. 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. Respect your surroundings and try to become one with your community. Wheres the best hospital nearRead More Wheres the Best Hospital Near Me in Central America? Swank is not the first tourist to be killed in Belize, however his death occurred while on a fly fishing trip at a popular tourist attraction in Belize. Contact us at mrkt[emailprotected]kngblznw.m or call us at 501-601-0315. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Chuck Goudie, Ann Pistone, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. "Things happen, and it's super sad, and you don't want to be that person," said Natalie Shellworth, an American tourist. An American woman disappeared over the weekend while vacationing in Belize, authorities said. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. ? Police say that Swank was killed because he was a witness to the murder of tour guide Mario Graniel. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law. Results of an autopsy are pending at the Belize City Morgue, local police said. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2019-2020. I treat everyone the same, ask for help, and return the favor. Until recently, the only notable murder involvement by a US citizen was the bizarre John McAfee situation on Ambergris Caye back in 2012. 2019, BreakingBelizeNews.com. After a number of recent high-profile tourist/expat homicides, we look at crime in Belize and try to determine how safe it actually is right now. Anne Swaney from Chicago was that person - her life taken as she did yoga by herself on this riverside platform 1,700 miles from home; something no one could have predicted, and only her killer could have prevented. Dont look wealthy, dont flash cash, dont get too drunk, and so on. There's no need to be concerned about safety on commercial flights. Sticking your head into the sand of one of our beautiful Caribbean beaches is not the best way to go. Tourists in Belize are often victims of theft, but few experience real violence. Police investigation led to the custody of several suspects, but all were released. According to the document, the country urges increased caution due to high levels of violent crime, such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. One of the primary industries in the town is tourism, most notably scuba diving. Gary Peterson lives on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize, where he writes books about Central America and the Caribbean. WebBelize is a very corrupt and violent country and I don't mean just the drug gangs in Belize City which clearly makeup most of the murder. WebCosta Rica Sarcasm & Fun. By Reuters NIAMEY, Niger - Gunmen on motorcycles killed six French tourists and two Nigeriens in a wildlife park in Niger on Sunday, a senior official said. Statistics matter and how statisticsRead More A Few Words About the Costa Rica Murder Rate. WebTwo Americans were killed and five others were injured in a bus accident as they traveled in Belize on Wednesday as part of a Carnival Cruise Line trip. 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.. Download. In the Cayo District, armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south. Officials said a San Pedro resident was killed three days later by two unknown masked men. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local outlet 7 News Belize on Saturday that two men had been arrested and charged with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist destination. 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