Tourism Review. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize. This article contains a link (or links) to Amazon, from which, as an Amazon Associate, this website will earn a small commission if you make any purchases. 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. ?Check out OSACs 2018 Crime and Safety Report on Belize to learn the most up-to-date traveler security information. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? In Central America, Belize is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Americans. Columbus-area measles outbreak was the nation's largest in 2022. Read it here: https://t.co/crTR6zsohu. 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. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. Both men went into the water to rescue her. Teresa Hodges, a patient of Swanks for 13 years, told the outlet she was devastated to hear what had happened. Corozal District saw an incident last year with the discovery of a local expat couple found strangled in a cane field. If youre moving here, get involved with a Neighborhood Watch scheme they do exist here. Boys basketball: Check out the Section 9 tournament brackets, FAMU basketball splits even with Southern in homecourt finale doubleheader. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The San Pedro Barrier Reef. Violence in Cancun, for example, is quite common an attack on a bar there on Feb. 16 killed five people but most of the violence occurs far from the tourist zones along the beach. Bowens was struck by a stray bullet. 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. An American woman disappeared over the weekend while vacationing in Belize, authorities said. And then just this month, a US retiree living in Hopkins was found, although arrests have been made in this case. Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. The state department also notes that Belize police lack resources to effectively investigate crimes. She was staying at an equine lodge last month when someone attacked her and dragged her body into the Mopan River. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. See the State Departments travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. 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. Im very serious about me and my wifes personal safety. Alison MacKenzie is pictured in this undated handout photo. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. The killings drew international media attention but remain unsolved. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Chuck Goudie, Ann Pistone, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. The 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, Associated Press reported. Respect your surroundings and try to become one with your community. 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. Until recently, the only notable murder involvement by a US citizen was the bizarre John McAfee situation on Ambergris Caye back in 2012. This story has been shared 130,601 times. But I heard all these stories on Ambergris Caye and my protective nature kicked my alertness up two notches while I was there. 1 file(s) 142.47 KB. PHOTOS: Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney, 1976-2016. 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. 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. 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. 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. WebGary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, was shot dead Sunday as officials say the tourist destination has become paralyzed by crime, Belize Live News reported. Police say that Swank was killed because he was a witness to the murder of tour guide Mario Graniel. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. The police came with their canine unit, and the scent led them along the river but due to the darkness the search was called off for the night before finding her," Arzu told ABC7 Chicago. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team reports on Our thoughts, prayers and attention are now focused on helping his family navigate this difficult time.. The police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2020. Again, little news about this case or any arrests or convictions so far. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted, it added. Drugs? CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team reports on dangers in paradise and crime threats to tourists following the murder of our ABC7 colleague Anne Swaney three weeks ago. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. (And Which Parts Should I Visit And/Or Avoid?). They were identified as Ernest Wills Sr., 49, Travis Cooke, 23, Allison Jones, 19, Jamar Martinez, 23, and Winston Santos, 40. The Belize murder rate is third highest in the world - more than twice the homicide rate of Chicago and higher than any U.S. city. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. 1 file(s) 146.10 KB. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone. https://t.co/DOPUhxwZrt, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) September 5, 2018. "A horse riding tour returned in the afternoon and found her personal effects on the deck. The club is located in San Pedros Central Park. San Pedro has long enjoyed peace and security as a result of strong, disciplined Police presence and solid community support, he said. Alison Mackenzie, 43, went missing early Saturday My first trip to Belize took me to Ambergris Caye and my research told me the usual stuff. 2019, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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.. This looked suspicious, so they went to her cabin, and she wasn't there. They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. The passengers were on the Carnival Vista, which left out of Galveston. What my research didnt tell me was about gunfire at night and conflicts at the Mexican border between drug runners. Investigators said that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. Read more of Garys work on his blog. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. There is not a nationwide tourist advisory in effect for Belize. 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WebA tourist from Arizona has gone missing while on a catamaran tour on Rendezvous Caye in Belize, police there said Wednesday. 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. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. According to reports, around 9 pm, American national Stephanie Nevis,34, was drinking at the resort when she was informed that the bar was closing. Nevis then reportedly walked toward the seaside. Martinez was not known to the two men and the motive behind the shooting is unclear, authorities said. The I-Team traveled to Central America after Anne was killed. In this part of the world, the most popular places for Americans and Chicagoans are also the most remote and the most difficult to get to, especially after a night of rain. Thanks for contacting us. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. WebThe Belize murder rate is third highest in the world - more than twice the homicide rate of Chicago and higher than any U.S. city. However, the Prime Minister emphasized that San Pedro remains a safe place for people to visit. Tourists in Belize are often victims of theft, but few experience real violence. 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. They were travelling along George Price Highway shortly before noon, in a small blue SUV being driven by their tour guide, Leon Garcia of Big John's Tour 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. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. State Department also advised that travelers must exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City. They had been missing for nearly a week. Respected Voice of Tourism. Its also the only nightclub that opens after midnight. The In the Cayo District, armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south. 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. Local Mario Graniel and tourist Dr. Gary Swank were shot to death while on a fly-fishing tour on the lagoon side of Ambergris Caye. Its no secret that Belize City is a cesspool of crime, with gang conflicts and shootings almost daily. An autopsy shows that an American news producer found dead while staying in a vacation resort in Belize was strangled. "On the bus I felt safe but I would not want to be off the bus," said Brian Mielke, a Naperville resident. WebA Virginia doctor and his tour guide were murdered during a fly-fishing expedition in Belize, authorities said. It holds a diverse number of species. According to Nola.com, the victims name is JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. 10:45 am CST. A year ago, in a remote sugar cane field near the Mexican border, a farmer found the bodies of Drew DeVoursney and his girlfriend Francesca Matus. 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. San Pedro Town is the one and only town on the popular Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Burgos explained that police made several commitments coming out of the meeting including adding 12 more constables for San Pedro, installing video cameras for 24-hour surveillance, obtaining Coast Guard support for boat patrols on lagoon and deep sea, drafting new legislation to keep the identity of witnesses protected, which will come after a meeting between the ComPol and the Prime Minister, and implementing new strategies to deal with gangs among others. Is Guatemala City Safe? But, he admits, Belize police - especially in rural sections such as his - really don't handle many murder investigations. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries. As the most-visited destination in the country, San Pedro is home to the second-largest barrier reed in the world. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2020-2021. But we are now witnessing more serious crimes creep into the south and out to the islands where the tourists go. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. On Feb. 19, rival drug dealers opened fire at Art Beach Tulum, a restaurant on the outskirts of Tulum where an order of sea bass with asparagus risotto and seaweed cream goes for $35. 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. WebBelize 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 Hotel owner Santiago Juan tells ABC7 Chicago she was killed on "public land" near the hotel. According to the National Safety Council's study of census data, the chances of being killed in the air are around 1 out of 205,552, and one in 102 for the car. Sticking your head into the sand of one of our beautiful Caribbean beaches is not the best way to go. I never heard any of that stuff before arriving. She was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize, on Jan. 18, 2020. "Anne helped us evolve our business and our newsroom, but most importantly, she was a kind person who was always had a smile and a positive attitude.". Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal on Wednesday; showers will linger, 5 Freeway closed through Grapevine due to snow, ice, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. The man, a Guatemalan national, maintains he was just fishing and was not involved in her death, police said. Results of an autopsy are pending at the Belize City Morgue, local police said. Like the previous cases mentioned, no leads or convictions, which seems to be the norm. My fear is, at some point, occupants will confront a suspect who enters a property and itll get violent. "Definitely it hits the entire industry of Belize for tourists," said Karen Pike, Belize Tourism Board. If he had not been the type of doctor that he was, I probably would not have seen him. We are fed up of the press conferences and constant claims that show crime is decreasing, said John Briceno, leader of the Peoples United Party. I would argue you should exercise caution no matter where in the world you travel. So far, six months into 2019, there are 70 murders and that is not counting those people still missing and those whose remains have yet to be identified, Briceno said. https://t.co/FQFt9PRVaS, Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) May 30, 2018. 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. For further information, contact our Tourism Data Unit at the Belize Tourism Board via email He has called on residents of San Pedro to stand with police as they hunt for criminals in the community. https://t.co/EWrcbLmyKs, Que Pasa Corozal (@QuePasaCorozal) September 1, 2018. Thomas and his wife operate a resort miles up a rough road in western Belize where the I-Team headquartered while reporting the story. Cruise ship visitors disembarking for a few hours while at the port have been targeted by scammers. 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