Im very serious about me and my wifes personal safety. WebToday we learned the tragic news that Carilion interventional cardiologist Dr. Gary Swank was found murdered in Belize, along with a local tour guide. Pretty much every visitor toRead More Is Guatemala City Safe? She was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize, on Jan. 18, 2020. Police say that Swank was killed because he was a witness to the murder of tour guide Mario Graniel. "At 8 a.m. yesterday, Anne went to the Mopan River to do her yoga practice," said Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu. 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. Its no secret that Belize City is a cesspool of crime, with gang conflicts and shootings almost daily. 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. Hes part of my life.. I say considering Belize only has a population of 350,000, one or two expat murders should be a major concern. 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. Business owner Lamont Lipka shot and killed in San Pedro The San Pedro Sun https://t.co/rambnluOZE via @SanPedroSun, The San Pedro Sun (@SanPedroSun) May 14, 2018. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2020-2021. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize 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 By The Associated Press January 1, 2023, 3:15 PM But since 2016 several foreigners have been murdered in Belize. There is not a nationwide tourist advisory in effect for 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. Published by Teresa Romero , Feb 17, 2022. He has called on residents of San Pedro to stand with police as they hunt for criminals in the community. The best thing you can have at home to keep you safe is a big dog. 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. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. The US State Department confirmed the incident, but provided no further comment. John Burgos, Executive Director of the BTIA spoke with Breaking Belize News (BBN) today, explaining that he attended a public meeting in San Pedro hosted by the Commissioner of Police. Alison MacKenzie, 43, was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye on Saturday. San Pedro Town is the one and only town on the popular Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. 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. Most foreign crime victims dont realize theyre victims until they wake up and find out. Nevis then reportedly walked toward the seaside. Download. https://t.co/DOPUhxwZrt, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) September 5, 2018. WebThere have been a few high-profile murders of tourists and expatriates. 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. Our house is secure, with solid windows, doors, locks, outside lights and more. 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.. Thanks for contacting us. 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. 2020, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local news outlets that Belize officers arrested two men, charging them with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro town. They were identified as Ernest Wills Sr., 49, Travis Cooke, 23, Allison Jones, 19, Jamar Martinez, 23, and Winston Santos, 40. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no 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. 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. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguars Temple. 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. If you read the US State Departments OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) Crime & Safety Report for Belize in 2018, youll see the words exercise increased caution. If he had not been the type of doctor that he was, I probably would not have seen him. 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. 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 Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. Our thoughts, prayers and attention are now focused on helping his family navigate this difficult time.. What about now? WebA tourist from Arizona has gone missing while on a catamaran tour on Rendezvous Caye in Belize, police there said Wednesday. 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. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted, it added. ANNUAL MAJOR CRIMES STATISTICS 1 file(s) 142.47 KB. In May 2018, a gunman shot dead a Texan expat in his popular San Pedro restaurant in the early evening. 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. Boys basketball: Check out the Section 9 tournament brackets, FAMU basketball splits even with Southern in homecourt finale doubleheader. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. She had lived in the area for years and was selling her home. Like the previous cases mentioned, no leads or convictions, which seems to be the norm. Cruise ship visitors disembarking for a few hours while at the port have been targeted by scammers. As far as if its safe to come to Belize, I say yes as long as you keep your eyes open and your wits about you. A Canadian filmmaker was killed in January 2015 to the south of the district. Results of an autopsy are pending at the Belize City Morgue, local police said. A Few Words About the Costa Rica Murder Rate. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. One was Canadian and the other from the US. It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. Police investigation led to the custody of several suspects, but all were released. Both men went into the water to rescue her. In a statement, Briceo described Bowens death as a random act of terrorism. It holds a diverse number of species. ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report. At least 125 murders were committed in Belize in 2021. Download. 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. 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 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. "A horse riding tour returned in the afternoon and found her personal effects on the deck. Web(Statistics from the Belize Police Department) CRIMES COMPARATIVE JANUARY 2022 2023. One of the primary industries in the town is tourism, most notably scuba diving. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Authorities say its complicated because of the proximity to the Guatemala border. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. 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. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon. This murder remains unsolved. Its been a few years now since I moved to Belize and I think Ive assimilated well into my local community. 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.. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. Thanks for contacting us. "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.". The commander in charge of the Anne Swaney investigation says he received training in the U.S. from the FBI. 1 file(s) 146.10 KB. My fear is, at some point, occupants will confront a suspect who enters a property and itll get violent. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Nothing says Keep Out like a sign that says I can make it to this gate in 2.3 seconds, can you?. The staff here asks guests where they are going and with whom and Thomas says what happened to ABC7's Anne Swaney makes no sense. Hotel owner Santiago Juan tells ABC7 Chicago she was killed on "public land" near the hotel. They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. Robbery? Swaney, 39, was an avid world traveler and on a vacation in the Cayo District of western Belize, a popular destination for American adventure travelers and horse enthusiasts. Jacqueline Abad, 53, and Sara 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. Corozal District saw an incident last year with the discovery of a local expat couple found strangled in a cane field. Teresa Hodges, a patient of Swanks for 13 years, told the outlet she was devastated to hear what had happened. I would argue you should exercise caution no matter where in the world you travel. As the most-visited destination in the country, San Pedro is home to the second-largest barrier reed in the world. As already mentioned, the overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans. Tourism Review Online Magazine 1 / 2020. Many of their vehicles, weapons and other equipment are provided by the U.S. Government. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. 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. An expat in Placencia was also strangled in December 2017, found next to her rental vehicle. 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