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

[tarabull]

DANGERS IN PARADISE: WHAT TOURISTS AREN'T BEING TOLD
From February 2016

Snipped...

...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.

...Belize police lack resources to effectively investigate crimes. Only three percent of Belize homicides result in convictions.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/dangers-in-paradise-what-tourists-arent-being-told/1189365/

 

[tarabull]

Missing Canadian woman's vehicle found in Belize
May 1, 2017

Snipped...

...The U.S. State Department also said they’re aware of reports of an American citizen missing in Belize.

“The welfare of U.S. citizens is one of the Department’s highest priorities. We stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time,” they said in an emailed statement to CTVNews.ca on Monday.

 

[Snoopster]

The vehicle is currently at the Corozal Police Station.

https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/04/30/vehicle-belonging-missing-canadian-american-couple/

I don't see any smashed windows from this angle.

 

[Snoopster]

So the vehicle was found walking distance to town. That opens up all sorts of scenarios, including that it was possible for one person to have caused their disappearance.
The drive to Consejo is a straight run up 4th Ave and out of town. Where could they have run into trouble?

I looked up one variety store (Mo's) and it is only open late morning and into the afternoon. No late evening hours. Are the gas stations open late? Is there somewhere else they could have stopped?
Where was there car parked relative to Scotty's? Was in eyesight of the bar? Could something have happened right at the parking lot/parking spot as they got in the vehicle?

 

[dotr]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/missing-woman-belize-suv-1.4093595

Roberts said officers and police dogs have returned to the area to search today.

Nancy Rifenbark, a close friend of Matus, said she's relieved police finally have a clue, but the abandoned SUV is also concerning.

"It's getting harder to keep positive, but I'm trying my best," Rifenbark said in an interview on Monday.

 

[dotr]

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/missing-canadian-woman-s-truck-found-in-belize-field-1.3393057

David DeVoursney says police found Matus' truck on Sunday afternoon about 15 kilometres from the bar where the couple was last seen last Tuesday night

rbbm

 

[loveisthemovement]

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/missing-canadian-woman-s-truck-found-in-belize-field-1.3393057

rbbm

Is that pic how they found the vehicle? Doors open?

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/missing-canadian-woman-s-truck-found-in-belize-field-1.3393057

rbbm

Is that pic how they found the vehicle? Doors open?

Those are the back doors open, hmmm

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

Im going to rant for this post, ignore if you want.

The whole advisory for visitors rather annoys me. People from 1st world country need to realize that when traveling to third world countries, things will not be the same.
Yes, the third world category affects all aspect of the country, including crime.
End of rant.

Im hoping Francesca & Drew are found safe.

 

[missgulfsouth]

Not good at all....the possibilities here are so frightening. An accident would have been easier to take.☹

 

[JerseyGirl]

officers and police dogs have returned to the area to search today.

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...sing-ontario-woman-francesca-matus/ar-BBAB1sw

 

[Hazel]

https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/04/30/vehicle-belonging-missing-canadian-american-couple/

I don't see any smashed windows from this angle.

"broken mirror on passenger side" unless they meant broken blinker, as shown in the picture.

Missing Poster

 

[ttcRider]

Im going to rant for this post, ignore if you want.

The whole advisory for visitors rather annoys me. People from 1st world country need to realize that when traveling to third world countries, things will not be the same.
Yes, the third world category affects all aspect of the country, including crime.
End of rant.

Im hoping Francesca & Drew are found safe.

I am always amazed when travelling to hear tourists complaining constantly about nearly everything. I don't understand what people are expecting from some of these poor third world countries. :facepalm:

 

[Kamille]

Saw this case on the news this evening. It sure is looking bleak for this couple.

Forgive me if this has already been addressed but how long has the couple been together? Did they meet in Belize? Were they both returning to their respective home towns?

 

[missgulfsouth]

I am always amazed when travelling to hear tourists complaining constantly about nearly everything. I don't understand what people are expecting from some of these poor third world countries. :facepalm:

Montezuma's revenge? Yes. Less than 5 star accommodations? Sure. Crazy driving taxi service? Uh-huh. Mugging? Possibly. But nobody expects to become a victim of what is looking more and more like kidnapping, possibly murder.

 

[otto]

I am always amazed when travelling to hear tourists complaining constantly about nearly everything. I don't understand what people are expecting from some of these poor third world countries. :facepalm:

I don't think that anyone assumes that 3rd world means very high crime rate with 3% solved, but that is the problem in Belize.

 

[LemonCloud]

Just read they've been found deceased in Chan Chen village. I can't remember which Facebook page I saw this on in order to post the link. Anyone else see it? Help!

Edit: Found it but the post was removed. Sorry folks. I jumped the gun.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Saw this case on the news this evening. It sure is looking bleak for this couple.

Forgive me if this has already been addressed but how long has the couple been together? Did they meet in Belize? Were they both returning to their respective home towns?

I read that they had met last year sometime and they had been dating for 3-4 months or so. She was due to fly back to Canada the next day after they were at the bar and Drew was due to return home this week.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Just read they've been found deceased in Chan Chen village. I can't remember which Facebook page I saw this on in order to post the link. Anyone else see it? Help!

Oh dang - that is so terrible. Cr@p.

 

[otto]

Saw this case on the news this evening. It sure is looking bleak for this couple.

Forgive me if this has already been addressed but how long has the couple been together? Did they meet in Belize? Were they both returning to their respective home towns?

2-3 months ... met in Belize.
She was returning to hometown Toronto, he was to return to hometown in Atlanta May 4.