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

[Dushi]

I think JD probably was hired to remove the equipment but knew the situation between partners and therefor knew it was a crime, but didn't consider himself the criminal. He felt he was just doing a job he was being paid to do, A little stupid on his part if that is the case.

IF JD did murder them, I don't think the motive was back rent or buying time to live free

I think this whole thing smells of bad business transaction
I don't see drugs or robbery

 

[andreww]

But if the Casino is brand new, why would they need equipment removed? And it seems like a big place, surely they would have room to store valuable property? If Im an owner and want you to remove valuable equipment from the premises, I'm definitely telling you where to put it, and it won't be in your house.

 

[Kamille]

A couple of questions...

Does anyone have details as to where DD was living?

Is there any evidence that FM was going to sell her house? Did this come from the conversation between JD and FM that the neighbour overheard?

Just seems odd that she would even be thinking of selling it given that she had just started a new relationship and by how much she seemed to love Belize. Could this have just been a ploy to get JD out? Or possibly the threats were starting to become a little too real?

From what I understand, DD was living in Ranchito Village. He had 4 acres of property in Belize that he and a friend had purchased but according to news reports there was nothing on it. He had ideas of starting a dive company when he went to Belize last December. Not sure what happened with that idea but it does not appear that he attempted to do that while there. So I assume that he was renting a place in Ranchito Village and eventually looking for work. His mother said that he was having trouble finding work so he had decided to come home during the first week of May. He was enrolled in school with his brother to learn how to operate heavy machinery.

The information about FM "thinking of selling her house in the coming months" supposedly came from a couple of people who claim to be close friends of hers but obviously refused to be quoted by name by the US reporter who was there digging for stuff and reporting it in the Atlanta newspaper.

She is a property manager and investor. It is not that surprising that she may have been considering selling the home she had for profit if there is another area under development that she could get into for a much lower price than what she would get for the sale of her place. She may have just been speculating ideas with a couple of friends over drinks and that may be what prompted them to tell the reporter that she was thinking of selling. Perhaps she was having trouble with people in the Consejo Shores community, or pressure from someone to sell the property, and was thinking of looking elsewhere for another place. Who knows. It's all speculation.

As far as her "relationship" with DD, I think it was pretty casual between them. He didn't even mention her on his facebook and it appeared that both of them were going back to their respective home countries for at least the summer months anyway. I'm sure they would have stayed in contact and perhaps would have met up again in Belize in the fall/winter but I don't think they were inseparable or looking at a long term commitment or anything like that.

I'd have to believe that FM needed to have someone she really trusted to watch over her property while she was away for 8 months (she seems to only go there from Jan - May), not to mention the upkeep, so I think she would have tolerated a lot from JD regarding non payment of rent. But that doesn't mean that she would just let him slide on rent forever and that a conversation/heated discussion about wanting her rent money wouldn't have taken place. She has been described as a very good business woman in recent articles so she was probably always speculating on what was in her best interest with regards to properties in Belize (and elsewhere).

MOO

 

[Kamille]

But if the Casino is brand new, why would they need equipment removed? And it seems like a big place, surely they would have room to store valuable property? If Im an owner and want you to remove valuable equipment from the premises, I'm definitely telling you where to put it, and it won't be in your house.

I don't think we have any idea what casino this is regarding. I know there is a Placencia Resort Hotel and Casino and that is probably where we are assuming this equipment is from, but the Placencia area seems to also be under some high end development plans including expensive hotels, beachfront condos, yacht clubs. It's a beautiful area and looks like it could be another Cap Cana if the government can get the foreign investment and development under control and free from corruption.

If the equipment is from an established up and running casino, how on earth would a guy with a pick up be able to steal from it unless there was an owner/manager involved? If that is the case, this definitely seems more like an inside job where one partner has a problem with another and has taken important electronics out of there and was hiding them for some reason. And he's not going to hide them somewhere that can tie into himself when the police start investigating.

MOO

 

[Dushi]

A Canadian who was questioned by police in Belize in relation to the deaths of a Canadian-American couple has been charged with handling stolen goods for an unrelated robbery offence.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/05/canadian-charged-in-robbery-of-casino-belize-police.html

Around one-thirty p.m., Deshaies arrived at the Independence Police Station and within minutes was escorted to the court where he appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Yolanda Demoya. He had been criminally charged for two offenses: the theft of fifty-seven thousand three hundred and seventy-eight dollars worth of data servers with hard-drives, laptops, tablets, fourteen gaming machines, external hard-drive, electronic chips and adapters amongst other miscellany.

http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/145815

John Deshaies, Accused of Theft
“This was a job matter; this was me doing my job.”

 

[Kophy]

I don't think we have any idea what casino this is regarding. I know there is a Placencia Resort Hotel and Casino and that is probably where we are assuming this equipment is from, but the Placencia area seems to also be under some high end development plans including expensive hotels, beachfront condos, yacht clubs. It's a beautiful area and looks like it could be another Cap Cana if the government can get the foreign investment and development under control and free from corruption.

If the equipment is from an established up and running casino, how on earth would a guy with a pick up be able to steal from it unless there was an owner/manager involved? If that is the case, this definitely seems more like an inside job where one partner has a problem with another and has taken important electronics out of there and was hiding them for some reason. And he's not going to hide them somewhere that can tie into himself when the police start investigating.

MOO

I'm not a business minded person, so I'm finding the casino stuff very interesting. This is all MOO.

As far as I can tell - that is the only casino. It has gone by a number of different names, but it's the same one. It's part of a larger development involving the Placencia group and it opened last year. Taking a look at the companies/players involved will make your head spin. There are two main investors/founders (from Italy and the US) with several companies attached to their names. They founded a company together that is now defunct. A third appeared to be responsible for managing the casino. He has a personal FB page to promote the casino and it also appears that he was the responder for the business FB page at least for a time. I find it suspicious that he has not been active on FB at all this year, or has removed his posts.

Some companies are still active, and several are no longer active. There have been a lot of lawsuits - within Belize and elsewhere, including Canada where they got into trouble with Securities Commissions in Ontario and Alberta.

It doesn't appear that the casino was doing very well. They didn't seem to have a lot of staff, and one report of an Asian business man going berserk a couple of months ago stated that he was the only customer at the time.

I can find NO connection between the casino, or any other Placencia holdings to FM or DD. The only connection between them and the casino appears to be JD.

So, I have to wonder. Was JD the target? Why did he leave town before the disappearance and again before the bodies were found? Was he worried for his own safety? If he was working for the casino, I think WR would have been his boss and we haven't heard anything from him regarding the supposed theft. JD's lawyer referred to someone who was the manager "then" which to me means "not now".

This is probably really out there but how about JD gets in the middle of something bad by removing the equipment for the "then" manager. The "then" manager is pressured to reveal the location of what is taken and he points the finger at JD. Someone is hired to take care of it, but they arrive in Corozal and JD is gone. They go after FM to find him. If there were "signs of torture" like a recent report suggested, what was that about? Revenge, cruelty, or looking for information that FM and DD didn't have?





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[Kamille]

A Canadian who was questioned by police in Belize in relation to the deaths of a Canadian-American couple has been charged with handling stolen goods for an unrelated robbery offence.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/05/canadian-charged-in-robbery-of-casino-belize-police.html

Around one-thirty p.m., Deshaies arrived at the Independence Police Station and within minutes was escorted to the court where he appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Yolanda Demoya. He had been criminally charged for two offenses: the theft of fifty-seven thousand three hundred and seventy-eight dollars worth of data servers with hard-drives, laptops, tablets, fourteen gaming machines, external hard-drive, electronic chips and adapters amongst other miscellany.

http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/145815

John Deshaies, Accused of Theft
“This was a job matter; this was me doing my job.”

Interesting that the article also stated that he was released on bail, which we know was not the case. I wonder why the police spokesperson told the Toronto newspaper that he was released on bail? And I wonder what is happening today with regards to his bail hearing with a lawyer this time.

MOO

 

[andreww]

Interesting that the article also stated that he was released on bail, which we know was not the case. I wonder why the police spokesperson told the Toronto newspaper that he was released on bail? And I wonder what is happening today with regards to his bail hearing with a lawyer this time.

MOO

Don't think it said anything about bail?

“He’s not under custody of police anymore but he is still a person of interest and he can be re-arrested if they need him. The case is ongoing.”

I think that he was brought in for questioning and could only be held for 48 hours. He was released from custody but immediately detained for the casino robbery. He's been in custody for that ever since, but from what I understand, he has a bail hearing today (Friday).

 

[Ritika]

I'm not a business minded person, so I'm finding the casino stuff very interesting. This is all MOO.

As far as I can tell - that is the only casino. It has gone by a number of different names, but it's the same one. It's part of a larger development involving the Placencia group and it opened last year. Taking a look at the companies/players involved will make your head spin. There are two main investors/founders (from Italy and the US) with several companies attached to their names. They founded a company together that is now defunct. A third appeared to be responsible for managing the casino. He has a personal FB page to promote the casino and it also appears that he was the responder for the business FB page at least for a time. I find it suspicious that he has not been active on FB at all this year, or has removed his posts.

Some companies are still active, and several are no longer active. There have been a lot of lawsuits - within Belize and elsewhere, including Canada where they got into trouble with Securities Commissions in Ontario and Alberta.

It doesn't appear that the casino was doing very well. They didn't seem to have a lot of staff, and one report of an Asian business man going berserk a couple of months ago stated that he was the only customer at the time.

I can find NO connection between the casino, or any other Placencia holdings to FM or DD. The only connection between them and the casino appears to be JD.

So, I have to wonder. Was JD the target? Why did he leave town before the disappearance and again before the bodies were found? Was he worried for his own safety? If he was working for the casino, I think WR would have been his boss and we haven't heard anything from him regarding the supposed theft. JD's lawyer referred to someone who was the manager "then" which to me means "not now".

This is probably really out there but how about JD gets in the middle of something bad by removing the equipment for the "then" manager. The "then" manager is pressured to reveal the location of what is taken and he points the finger at JD. Someone is hired to take care of it, but they arrive in Corozal and JD is gone. They go after FM to find him. If there were "signs of torture" like a recent report suggested, what was that about? Revenge, cruelty, or looking for information that FM and DD didn't have?

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The company/group you may be referring to has been written up about on "Name and Shame", by a very unhappy investor:
https://www.nameandshame.com/r/us-f...-by-rats-from-canyon-acquisitions-llc-id5yc99

 

[Kamille]

I'm not a business minded person, so I'm finding the casino stuff very interesting. This is all MOO.

As far as I can tell - that is the only casino. It has gone by a number of different names, but it's the same one. It's part of a larger development involving the Placencia group and it opened last year. Taking a look at the companies/players involved will make your head spin. There are two main investors/founders (from Italy and the US) with several companies attached to their names. They founded a company together that is now defunct. A third appeared to be responsible for managing the casino. He has a personal FB page to promote the casino and it also appears that he was the responder for the business FB page at least for a time. I find it suspicious that he has not been active on FB at all this year, or has removed his posts.

Some companies are still active, and several are no longer active. There have been a lot of lawsuits - within Belize and elsewhere, including Canada where they got into trouble with Securities Commissions in Ontario and Alberta.

It doesn't appear that the casino was doing very well. They didn't seem to have a lot of staff, and one report of an Asian business man going berserk a couple of months ago stated that he was the only customer at the time.

I can find NO connection between the casino, or any other Placencia holdings to FM or DD. The only connection between them and the casino appears to be JD.

So, I have to wonder. Was JD the target? Why did he leave town before the disappearance and again before the bodies were found? Was he worried for his own safety? If he was working for the casino, I think WR would have been his boss and we haven't heard anything from him regarding the supposed theft. JD's lawyer referred to someone who was the manager "then" which to me means "not now".

This is probably really out there but how about JD gets in the middle of something bad by removing the equipment for the "then" manager. The "then" manager is pressured to reveal the location of what is taken and he points the finger at JD. Someone is hired to take care of it, but they arrive in Corozal and JD is gone. They go after FM to find him. If there were "signs of torture" like a recent report suggested, what was that about? Revenge, cruelty, or looking for information that FM and DD didn't have?





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Yes, reading up on WR and the Placencia group and their other various companies and "issues" is certainly an eye opener. They sure did seem to have BIG ideas for the Placencia area. Looks like only the one resort hotel and casino was ever completed. Wonder if they still have big plans?

And to believe that JD just walked into what is likely a 24hr casino, stole all that equipment and loaded it into his pick up truck himself is almost laughable. But I do think he knew full well that one "partner" was doing something illegal against at least one other.

And there is no way his "boss" is going to set the record straight IMO.

MOO

 

[Kamille]

Don't think it said anything about bail?



I think that he was brought in for questioning and could only be held for 48 hours. He was released from custody but immediately detained for the casino robbery. He's been in custody for that ever since, but from what I understand, he has a bail hearing today (Friday).

A Canadian who was questioned by police in Belize in relation to the deaths of a Canadian-American couple has been charged with handling stolen goods for an unrelated robbery offence.

The man was questioned at a police station in the southern resort town of Placencia, according to police spokesperson Raphael Martinez.

“We are looking at a different charge that is totally different from the murder charge,” said Martinez.

The charge is in connection to an alleged robbery of a Placencia casino, according to Martinez. The Canadian man was also given bail and is no longer in police custody.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/05/canadian-charged-in-robbery-of-casino-belize-police.html

 

[Kophy]

Don't think it said anything about bail?



I think that he was brought in for questioning and could only be held for 48 hours. He was released from custody but immediately detained for the casino robbery. He's been in custody for that ever since, but from what I understand, he has a bail hearing today (Friday).

I think you're correct. It was confusing in the first days that he was detained, but I vaguely remember reading that he was being detained for one issue, would be released, taken somewhere to deal with an issue, and returned to Corozal to be questioned about the murders.

Although he hasn't been charged and he could get bail on theft, there have since been reports that he's being held because he's a flight risk. The friend from Barrie that spoke out on JD's behalf said he "thought" JD might be being held for his own protection.

I wish I could give links to back this up, but life is busy today. I'll try to post them later if no one else has.


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[Kophy]

Yes, reading up on WR and the Placencia group and their other various companies and "issues" is certainly an eye opener. They sure did seem to have BIG ideas for the Placencia area. Looks like only the one resort hotel and casino was ever completed. Wonder if they still have big plans?

And to believe that JD just walked into what is likely a 24hr casino, stole all that equipment and loaded it into his pick up truck himself is almost laughable. But I do think he knew full well that one "partner" was doing something illegal against at least one other.

And there is no way his "boss" is going to set the record straight IMO.

MOO

Yeah these guys seem pretty shady.
The hours listed for the casino are 6 pm to 4 am.


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[Satchie]

Thanks for digging all that up about the casino/development. That is very eye-opening.

I wonder whether JD was involved with the construction. I expect that he would have asked for a pretty generous payment in exchange for removing and storing the equipment (perhaps it was being held 'hostage' in a dispute between partners and/or investors).

So, I have to wonder. Was JD the target? Why did he leave town before the disappearance and again before the bodies were found?...

This is probably really out there but how about JD gets in the middle of something bad by removing the equipment for the "then" manager. The "then" manager is pressured to reveal the location of what is taken and he points the finger at JD. Someone is hired to take care of it, but they arrive in Corozal and JD is gone. They go after FM to find him. If there were "signs of torture" like a recent report suggested, what was that about? Revenge, cruelty, or looking for information that FM and DD didn't have?

I do think it's too far out there. This happens a lot, and the high rollers know how to hire lawyers and accountants to hide their money and continue to enjoy their lavish lifestyle. Occasionally someone does get caught and goes to jail for major fraud, sometimes someone commits suicide. But people really just want their money, and murder only makes getting it more complicated.

It does strike me as a huge coincidence that the casino theft charges were so quickly made. As I think someone already posted, either the police were bearing down on JD, which might have been a trigger of some sort that set things in motion, or after the murder someone went to police about him.



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[PaxBelize]

I just want to give you a little insight into the way things work in Belize. No better news story could do it than this one from last night. http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=40296

 

[Kophy]

I just want to give you a little insight into the way things work in Belize. No better news story could do it than this one from last night. http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=40296

I remember seeing the headline and it made me LOL but I didn't read the story. Wow. Just wow.


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[Boone]

Drews brother David and his bud Brandon are back in the states. Burial service and reception are next Friday. (I think some of you were wondering if they were still in Belize)

 

[Kophy]

Drews brother David and his bud Brandon are back in the states. Burial service and reception are next Friday. (I think some of you were wondering if they were still in Belize)

Glad to hear they're home. I've been thinking about David a lot. I don't know him, but I have a brother who is my world and who is far from home. It sounds like Drew had a lot of "brothers", I'll be thinking of all of them on Friday.


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[Hazel]

Please know that Google translate is only so good. ..

I believe it's lost in translation there.

I posted it to verify about the bridge with the picture and it's on multiple Mexican websites

Wondergirl, I think PaxBelize is right when he says those articles are fake news, because the article in Spanish says exactly what I posted.
(I don't need Google translate )

 

[zencompass]

Drews brother David and his bud Brandon are back in the states. Burial service and reception are next Friday. (I think some of you were wondering if they were still in Belize)

Thank you for telling us, Boone. I join the others in thinking of them next Friday. Sending a prayer of love and comfort for all of the loved ones. So heartbreaking.