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By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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Three American tourists have been found dead in their hotel room at a Caribbean resort, with police investigating whether they died from a drug overdose.
Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, from Revere, Massachusetts, were staying at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in Belize to celebrate El-Arar's birthday when they were found motionless by housekeeping staff. Unidentified gummies and alcohol were found in their room.
Newsweek has contacted Belize Police for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Belize is a popular tourist destination for American travelers, but it is also ranked by the U.S. State Department as a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" country due to its high crime rates and limited police resources.
The families of the dead women and local politicians in Massachusetts are concerned that there will not be a thorough analysis into the deaths.
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What To Know
First responders said the dead women had foam around their mouths, which could indicate a drug overdose. However, their families and politicians in Revere are skeptical, saying they are "getting stonewalled" by Belizean authorities.
Police in Belize are working to obtain a toxicology report, however, Ira Novoselsky, a city council member in Revere, told CBS he believes there is more to the story than a drug overdose, and Revere's Mayor, Patrick M. Keefe Jr., has said the incident has left the community with "too many questions."
Naqqad, Mallah, and El-Arar were last seen on CCTV going into their hotel room last Thursday night. Hotel staff did not see any motion from the room on Friday, and could not get an answer from the women when they attempted to contact them.
Staff then used a key to enter the room on Saturday, which is when they discovered the bodies of the three women. They said there were no signs of a forced entry into the room, nor of an attack.
When staff entered their hotel room they found gummies, which are yet to be identified, alcohol, vapes, and snacks, per Fox News and AP reporting.
Police and investigators in Belize have been tasked with investigating their causes of death, something the victims' families are skeptical of. They told Boston25 that the women were young professionals with good jobs, and that they will be paying for them to receive private autopsies when they are returned to the U.S.
A State Department spokesperson explained to Newsweek: "When a U.S. citizen dies in a foreign country, local authorities are responsible for determining the cause of death and issuing a finding of death. The Department of State does not conduct nor pay for autopsies. Some countries may require autopsies, particularly for violent or unexpected deaths, even if the family does not wish for one to be conducted."
A vigil was held at their local mosque to commemorate their lives, and GoFundMe accounts have been set up to help cover the funeral and repatriation expenses for the three women.
What People Are Saying
Abdelmalek Bezzez, Imane Mallah's father, on her GoFundMe: "With a heavy heart, I share the tragic loss of my beloved daughter, Imane, who passed away in a heartbreaking accident. No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the grief is overwhelming."
Revere Mayor Patrick M. Keefe: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Wafae El-Arar, Imane Mallah, and Kaoutar Naqqad, three young women who were valued members of the Revere community. On behalf of the entire City of Revere, I extend my condolences to their families and loved ones during this time of unimaginable loss."
Belize Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, quoted by Fox News: "We're not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we're looking at every possibility."
U.S. State Department warning on travel to Belize: "Violent crime—such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder—are common even during the day and in tourist areas. A significant portion of violent crime is gang related.
"Due to high crime, travelers are advised to exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious crimes. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted."
**U.S. State Department spokesperson told Newsweek: "**The U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas...We are closely monitoring this case...We are in touch with and collaborating closely with the local authorities' investigation into the deaths...Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones, we have no further comment at this time."
What Happens Next
Police in Belize have said they are working to identify what the women consumed, and to determine cause of death. Keefe Jr. has said he will work to ensure the women receive a "proper and fair analysis" of their deaths.
Update 2/26/25 ,12:11 p.m. ET: This story was updated to include comment from the U.S. State Department.
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