Belize - Francesca Matus, 52, & Drew De Voursney, 36, murdered, Corozal, 25 Apr 2017

[PaxBelize]

I doubt the FBI will be able to shed any light on this even if they are actually involved, which I am somewhat skeptical of. We don't even have a fingerprint library here. This is why most violent crime goes unpunished here. On the other hand, what this does tell you is that even in a society where you're almost guaranteed to get away with murder, absolute chaos hasn't ensued and violent crime continues to occur, primarily, between those involved in violent crime. I hope I'm proved wrong, but unless something very unusual happens, I don't think we'll ever find out what really happened. If we do, it will remain word on the street and nothing more.

 

[Dushi]

I doubt the FBI will be able to shed any light on this even if they are actually involved, which I am somewhat skeptical of. We don't even have a fingerprint library here. This is why most violent crime goes unpunished here. On the other hand, what this does tell you is that even in a society where you're almost guaranteed to get away with murder, absolute chaos hasn't ensued and violent crime continues to occur, primarily, between those involved in violent crime. I hope I'm proved wrong, but unless something very unusual happens, I don't think we'll ever find out what really happened. If we do, it will remain word on the street and nothing more.

Wow
That is all I can say
It just sounds like why bother.
I hope you are proven wrong too

 

[frisson]

If the casino items being moved is a coincidence , it is a weird one imo. Also, it was her last night there and people knew it. (the goodbye party of sorts at the bar.) I think something started there. That dude who lives on the first floor -- that seems too simple . I'm convinced that it's him.

Still wondering what the threats to her were and who made them

Still wondering why the other guy was to drive her to the airport rather than DD. Did he say?? Just wondering many things. Something is missing from the puzzle.

 

[frisson]

Dangit. I cannot edit for some reason.

I meant to say that I am NOT convinced that it is the neighbor dude from the first floor. Apologies.

 

[Dushi]

The FBI is in Belize investigating the deaths of a Canadian-American couple found dead last week.

DeVoursney said a member of the FBI contacted her on Friday to offer assistance and let her know that American agents were in Belize.

By ISABEL TEOTONIOLiving reporter

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...toronto-woman-and-her-american-boyfriend.html


We are all aware of how reports can be wrong but I hope this reporter has checked her sources

 

[PaxBelize]

Wow
That is all I can say
It just sounds like why bother.
I hope you are proven wrong too

It is very much a 'why bother' situation to be honest. No one in Belize expects these types of crimes to be solved. In the long run, what is often unraveled is a much more complex situation that led up to the crime than many assumed in the outset. A good friend of mine was murdered here recently. In this case they even have the evidence and testimony they need. The murderer is being hidden by family. The chances of him being brought to justice are slim. It's frustrating and upsetting, but it's one of those things that you accept is the case if you choose to live in Belize. We moved here a very long time ago with our eyes wide open. The country is maturing and growing and, in time, the situation with the police will improve. In fact, it is improving slowly every day. It's a young and poor country.

 

[PaxBelize]

The FBI is in Belize investigating the deaths of a Canadian-American couple found dead last week.

DeVoursney said a member of the FBI contacted her on Friday to offer assistance and let her know that American agents were in Belize.

By ISABEL TEOTONIOLiving reporter

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...toronto-woman-and-her-american-boyfriend.html


We are all aware of how reports can be wrong but I hope this reporter has checked her sources

That particular outlet has been incredibly inaccurate with reporting this case. I wouldn't count on anything they say. If you work on reading the local press and read between the lines, it's easier to wrangle fact over incompetence with them. There are probably always agents in Belize. It also happens to be a very popular place for retired spooks and a great place to capture America's most wanted when they are on the lam. It would not be normal for a foreign criminal investigation agency to do anything but act on an advisory level in another country. I believe they said the FBI also worked on the case of the journalist who was so tragically murdered on the Guatemalan border. We never heard a thing afterwards about that either.

 

[Dushi]

So two people have lost their lives
The reporting is wrong and there is doubt that the FBI is involved
It is highly unlikely that this crime will ever be solved

I think I am reading your (PaxBelise) posts correctly

It is a sad sad state of affairs
To lose someone you love in such a manner is difficult to say the least.But to know nothing will be done about it is brutal

 

[dotr]

That particular outlet has been incredibly inaccurate with reporting this case. I wouldn't count on anything they say. If you work on reading the local press and read between the lines, it's easier to wrangle fact over incompetence with them. There are probably always agents in Belize. It also happens to be a very popular place for retired spooks and a great place to capture America's most wanted when they are on the lam. It would not be normal for a foreign criminal investigation agency to do anything but act on an advisory level in another country. I believe they said the FBI also worked on the case of the journalist who was so tragically murdered on the Guatemalan border. We never heard a thing afterwards about that either.

Who are retired spooks?
Hope this link is fine to post.
Rbbm.imo, speculation.
https://robertjhawkins1.wordpress.com/2016/02/18/this-is-belize-a-murder-in-paradiseThis is Belize: A murder in Paradise
February 19, 2016

Everyone remotely connected to Swaney has been DNA tested. That is something we haven’t heard being applied here before. This may be the result of the FBI entering the case, a mark of the measure of concern generated by the death of a high-profile media person.

In fact, a number of stories swirl around the murder of Fenn. Each one is different. In Belize there is a saying, “For every story, there are three stories.” Not surprising in a country where rumors are easier to come by than hard facts.

You get a sense of the daunting responsibility for security that sometimes confronts policing in a still developing country.

Police are pretty quick to arrest persons of interest, even, suspects, as they did in Anne Swaney’s death. What happens after that is very hard to track. Cases grow quiet, some just grow cold. Then, suddenly, a year or two later we might read about a conviction in the newspaper. The police seem to resist being questioned about their work and the small, national — and generally partisan — press is hardly equipped to push hard for the latest news.

The death of Anne Swaney is changing that. For one, publicity in the States brought in the FBI to assist the national police

 

[PaxBelize]

So two people have lost their lives
The reporting is wrong and there is doubt that the FBI is involved
It is highly unlikely that this crime will ever be solved

I think I am reading your (PaxBelise) posts correctly

It is a sad sad state of affairs
To lose someone you love in such a manner is difficult to say the least.But to know nothing will be done about it is brutal

You are reading my posts correctly. I can't recall a murder aside from a wife killing her husband after being abused or a drunken altercation where there has been a successful prosecution. The rest of the world isn't like the USA or western Europe. When you live in Belize, there are tons of amazing benefits. If you choose to live in Belize, you have to accept that with those benefits come challenges and caring for one's own security is one of them. We don't have much in the way of fire service either and most fires are put out by bucket brigade.

 

[PaxBelize]

Who are retired spooks?
Hope this link is fine to post.
Rbbm.imo, speculation.
https://robertjhawkins1.wordpress.com/2016/02/18/this-is-belize-a-murder-in-paradiseThis is Belize: A murder in Paradise
February 19, 2016

Retired spooks are retired special forces people from various countries who tend to be drawn to Belize for various reasons.

 

[Satchie]

It is a sad sad state of affairs
To lose someone you love in such a manner is difficult to say the least.But to know nothing will be done about it is brutal

I don't agree that 'nothing will be done'. The police and FBI will follow the leads as best they can. No case is guaranteed to be solved or sucessfully prosecuted. I refer you to this probably partial list of hundreds of unsolved murders in the US: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Unsolved_murders_in_the_United_States

I agree, it is very hard for families, this will have an effect on them for decades, and they would feel some relief if they felt justice had been done. We will all have to wait and see.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Dushi]

I don't agree that 'nothing will be done'. The police and FBI will follow the leads as best they can. No case is guaranteed to be solved or sucessfully prosecuted. I refer you to this probably partial list of hundreds of unsolved murders in the US: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Unsolved_murders_in_the_United_States

I agree, it is very hard for families, this will have an effect on them for decades, and they would feel some relief if they felt justice had been done. We will all have to wait and see.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

I follow many cases, some that have had far more evidence pointing in a certain direction than this one, and they are still unsolved.
And it is not my opinion that nothing will be done, it is the opinion of someone who lives there.
I have difficulty in accepting that two lives can be taken and it seems that it is a fact that nothing will be done. I will have to give it some time before I can accept that.
I understand that every case is not solved, but I want to believe someone, somewhere tries

 

[frisson]

It is very much a 'why bother' situation to be honest. No one in Belize expects these types of crimes to be solved. In the long run, what is often unraveled is a much more complex situation that led up to the crime than many assumed in the outset. A good friend of mine was murdered here recently. In this case they even have the evidence and testimony they need. The murderer is being hidden by family. The chances of him being brought to justice are slim. It's frustrating and upsetting, but it's one of those things that you accept is the case if you choose to live in Belize. We moved here a very long time ago with our eyes wide open. The country is maturing and growing and, in time, the situation with the police will improve. In fact, it is improving slowly every day. It's a young and poor country.

Maybe I'm misinformed or misremembering. Wasn't Belize a small, rich country 20 years ago?

If so - Things have apparently changed. *sigh* I know things change. It's just sad bc years ago I was thinking to move there when I got old. Now I have to re think it.

 

[frisson]

So two people have lost their lives
The reporting is wrong and there is doubt that the FBI is involved
It is highly unlikely that this crime will ever be solved

I think I am reading your (PaxBelise) posts correctly

It is a sad sad state of affairs
To lose someone you love in such a manner is difficult to say the least.But to know nothing will be done about it is brutal

Brutal

 

[PaxBelize]

Maybe I'm misinformed or misremembering. Wasn't Belize a small, rich country 20 years ago?

If so - Things have apparently changed. *sigh* I know things change. It's just sad bc years ago I was thinking to move there when I got old. Now I have to re think it.

Belize has never been a wealthy country. It used to be called British Honduras. It was a British colony. It became independent 36 years ago. I can only think you are confusing it with another country. If this crime has put you off moving to Belize, I suspect Belize is probably not for you. In the same way America is not for me. The constant mass shootings make me very worried about going to America. You can be sitting in a theater or restaurant and someone just walks in and starts shooting everyone. I can say that is not something I ever worry about in Belize.

 

[PaxBelize]

I follow many cases, some that have had far more evidence pointing in a certain direction than this one, and they are still unsolved.
And it is not my opinion that nothing will be done, it is the opinion of someone who lives there.
I have difficulty in accepting that two lives can be taken and it seems that it is a fact that nothing will be done. I will have to give it some time before I can accept that.
I understand that every case is not solved, but I want to believe someone, somewhere tries

I think that many police officers do try. Without resources or the means to do their job to the standard of developed countries, they simply will not have much success. I can imagine you find it difficult and that is one of the privileges in living in a developed country. For most of the world, sadly, living a full life is always a very thin line to walk. What I can say is that Belizeans do everything they can to enjoy their lives and remain tremendously positive. It's an unbelievably beautiful country and that's what most focus on.

 

[Kophy]

Brutal

Agreed. The other brutal outcome to not solving this would be if the only named POI is never cleared. The police have said he is not a suspect, but it appears that POI and Suspect are synonymous in the eyes of most people. If he did it - I hope they can prove it. What if he didn't do it? Then I hope they can prove that too. If he is forever linked as a POI with no evidence either way, his life will be destroyed.

I wish we could hear more from the Community, especially regarding the POI. I think the people closest to Francesca and Drew are the ones being most responsible (private) with what they know. I imagine they are fully cooperating with authorities and sharing what they know with each other. However, given the differing and confusing statements from police, I wish that others would step forward to help clarify information. I do understand that their attention is focused on caring for the families and each other and that is right. Still, it is frustrating not knowing which pieces are true and which are red herrings.

 

[Kophy]

I think that many police officers do try. Without resources or the means to do their job to the standard of developed countries, they simply will not have much success. I can imagine you find it difficult and that is one of the privileges in living in a developed country. For most of the world, sadly, living a full life is always a very thin line to walk. What I can say is that Belizeans do everything they can to enjoy their lives and remain tremendously positive. It's an unbelievably beautiful country and that's what most focus on.

If I had the means - I would go in a heartbeat.

 

[Wondergirl]

CBC News - Canada's prominent news agency - has verified FBI Involvement

[h=1]FBI helping with Belize homicide case, but RCMP is not, local police say[/h]
[h=3]Ontario mother Francesca Matus was killed along with her American boyfriend Drew De Voursney[/h]By Trevor Dunn, CBC News Posted: May 08, 2017 2:20 PM ET Last Updated: May 08, 2017 2:20 PM ET

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/belize-murder-fbi-investigation-1.4104849

Can anyone determine the fruit logo on JD's shirt? Looks like there is a website address on it also.

This is headlining on CBC tonight.

Also, Franscesca's BODY is in Canada now.