BELIZE - Alison MacKenzie, 43, tourist, from AZ, Rendezvous Caye, 18 Jan 2020

[cobalt sky]

Since we are allowed to post her social media I wonder about this post. A profile picture. Some people compliment her and she responds, her boyfriend does and she does not respond, why? Alison MacKenzie

I think maybe because unlike the others, he was there with her when he posted it so she could respond to him in person?

 

[Miss415]

Do we know she was arrested on ALCOHOL related charges? I thought it was established "under the influence" could include other substances, including pot.
If accidental drowning then where's the body?

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Agree on the body. These 5 guys killed at a caye and their bodies were all found floating. Theory was they happened on a “wet drop”. Point being bodies were found floating. Mass Murder Baffles Cops | Belize News, Reporter.bz - REPORTER NEWSPAPER

Do we know she was arrested on ALCOHOL related charges? I thought it was established "under the influence" could include other substances, including pot.
If accidental drowning then where's the body?

 

[insearchoflight]

Since it’s only been a week, I think it’s too early to say the body won’t be found. Most likely it will soon, if accidentally drowning is the case here which seems most likely.

 

[agniecha78]

This story is so bizarre, and as someone who's been on the same trip a couple of years ago, I can't believe how you disappear from such a small island. I mean, the place is tiny! And the tents, even though they're spread out, are still not far from each other. You'd think someone would hear something. The captain and the rest of the crew ( there were 4 guys when I went, as our group was a bit bigger ) slept on the boat.

 

[poppypants]

ETA: (Rules outlined in our agreement with)
WS is very careful about not sleuthing others that haven’t been named as a POI or arrested. But there were several were posts that I read before they were deleted. If the original post is deleted by a mod, any posts that mention that deleted post are also removed to preserve the integrity of the site.
So when I started down the rabbit holes, more information surfaced about the place. But the information is conflicting. Guides go home at night, in the dark, against dangerous currents. Then other information states guides stay with the tourists. I read reviews about the tour company. Most were great. Several were ominous. One that I especially remember is from a woman who’s boyfriend was almost accidentally left behind. When located he was drowning. It reminded me of the Australian case where a couple was left behind and never found. Big lawsuit.
Bits and pieces from internet research when I linked sites off this WS thread really were scattered all over the place. There was one review that apparently was posted by Mackenzie’s companion indicated there were armed guards on the caye. A photo I saw on Google Earth confirmed at least to me that there was a man, standing on the beach with the butt of a gun visible over his left shoulder. A review might be false. I guess a photo could be as well, but coming off Google, I had to consider it seriously. We’re here bc we follow crime. So my thoughts run to the worst case scenario. And with recent posts about Belize being a doorway for drug trafficking, it weighs towards her death being a crime.
Of course, she could have fallen off the strong current end of the caye. But she was not a water person according to family. Grieving. Terribly. Foreign country. Markers that we’ve seen in other crimes we discuss.
Besides, the first time I saw the island from a picture posted here, I got the creepiest feeling. Just all MHOO.
And I really appreciate comments like yours, that can help me explain what I see in the puzzle. Others add different information. Joint effort, if you will. That’s all.

I know that we are here for a common purpose...I was asking for clarification about what your sentence was referring to...and maybe I have already missed too much to understand your clarification. Last I checked there were still a lot of investigative posts on the bf/non-poi. I will just roll with not understanding but thank you for attempting to clarify the specific events you were referring to, (not the intent or what everyone else is contributing, I get that part since I am here.) Maybe when the FBI comes in and more happens I can re-read this and it will make sense. I can follow your rabbit holes, I just think maybe now there are too many around.

 

[Seajay]

Why would the FBI get involved with a random tourist who vanishes on a tour, who APPEARS to have made some questionable choices. Is this the norm? Was the FBI involved with the disappearance of tourists in the Dominican Republic and elsewhere in the Caribbean?

My guess could be because a) she’s an American citizen.
b) she disappeared under suspicious circumstances c) she nor her body have been found, d)because as an American citizen, she deserves a good, trusting, thorough investigation from her own people and to make sure there is not cover up from the local government, IMO

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Daily mail has a good article with another picture and some quotes from boyfriend. I think he first introduced the idea of “a midnight stroll”
Sister of Arizona mother, 43, who vanished in Belize says she has 'never been drunk in her life' | Daily Mail Online


Rote took to his own Facebook to offer insight as to what happened to Alison and shared that the Coast Guard was also looking for the mother. He also offered that the woman was lost at sea.

'The strongest conclusion this far is that she may have went in the water and swept away, or slipped into the sea off the sea wall during the night taking a midnight stroll' he said in a Facebook message.

He continued: 'The island is very small, barely over an acre (and) we scoured for any foul play and did a boat search as well in naval grid fashion.'

 

[Adalineskies]

This story is so bizarre, and as someone who's been on the same trip a couple of years ago, I can't believe how you disappear from such a small island. I mean, the place is tiny! And the tents, even though they're spread out, are still not far from each other. You'd think someone would hear something. The captain and the rest of the crew ( there were 4 guys when I went, as our group was a bit bigger ) slept on the boat.

I have gone on the same trip as well and I seriously can't comprehend that no one heard anything! If I remember correctly the people we went with were celebrating a retirement, so there were around 20 people in our group plus 5 crew members. They were vigilant about swimming alone and at night. The traffic from cruise passengers has (understandably) had a negative effect on the marine life so they were very apologetic about the lack of corals. That being said, we stayed several nights and could always hear people in their tents.

 

[Seajay]

Agree on the body. These 5 guys killed at a caye and their bodies were all found floating. Theory was they happened on a “wet drop”. Point being bodies were found floating. Mass Murder Baffles Cops | Belize News, Reporter.bz - REPORTER NEWSPAPER

Those 5 guys killed at a Caye, were they tourists? JC

 

[diggndeeperstill]

And to follow up in the earlier article I linked about corruption. The minister named in the case is the Belize Minister of National Security, John Saldivar. Not related to this case, but showing corruption at even the highest levels. Minister John Saldivar is named in US fraud case documents | Amandala Newspaper

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Those 5 guys killed at a Caye, were they tourists? JC

No, but that was not my point. Reading the article clarifies.

 

[Seajay]

No, but that was not my point. Reading the article clarifies.

I know your point was all the other bodies were found. I was just extrapolating on that and wondering what the rate of tourists deaths are in the country due to drowning and if the bodies ever turned up. I’m apologize if you in any way thought I was putting you on the spot.

 

[agniecha78]

I have gone on the same trip as well and I seriously can't comprehend that no one heard anything! If I remember correctly the people we went with were celebrating a retirement, so there were around 20 people in our group plus 5 crew members. They were vigilant about swimming alone and at night. The traffic from cruise passengers has (understandably) had a negative effect on the marine life so they were very apologetic about the lack of corals. That being said, we stayed several nights and could always hear people in their tents.

Exactly! I remember, that after dinner we all hung out at the table drinking, some stayed up later than others. I went to the tent at some point, as I was tired from all the sun and snorkeling, and the next day we were scheduled to leave around 7 am. Even though I was exhausted, I can't say I was completely out for the night, as it was not the most comfortable sleep. I heard people coming to their tents and getting up earlier than I did. I understand, that everyone is different, but there had to be someone who heard something. As for the safety, that was one of the things that really stood out for me throughout the entire trip. The captain and the crew were always making sure everyone is safe. The rum punch didn't come out on the boat till we were done snorkeling for the day. In the water we were split in groups and there was always one guy watching over the group making sure no one got away etc.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I know your point was all the other bodies were found. I was just extrapolating on that and wondering what the rate of tourists deaths are in the country due to drowning and if the bodies ever turned up. I’m apologize if you in any way thought I was putting you on the spot.

No worries! I don’t know about those numbers. I think once they were found (The numbers) you’d have to dig into them and see how many drowned while snorkeling, probably most common, or otherwise.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I wonder what the family is referring to as false news? They’ve linked the Belize officials in newscast. Is she meaning the timeframe is false?

BBM

Search continues in Belize for missing Prescott woman

The U.S. Department of State has released the following statement: “The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State. We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize. Whenever a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with their family however we can. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time.”

Privacy has been an issue for the MacKenzie family since the news broke about Alison’s disappearance, Cherie said.

“We just ask that people respect our family’s privacy at this time,” she said.

That comment is primarily aimed at media, who have been persistently contacting the MacKenzies from around the world looking for more details to report.

“We’re being hassled by so many reporters,” Cherie said. “We don’t have any additional comments right now.”

She also asks that people not believe everything that’s being reported about her daughter and the circumstances of the disappearance.

“We just want to get it out there that whatever people are hearing on the Belizean news is false,” she said. “They’re reporting false news because they have no direct contact with the police.”

 

[Moonlight lady]

A little background on the prevalent drug problem in Belize. Showing this because of related deaths on Cayes and discussion about ease of getting drugs as a tourist. But, more importantly because of what I have bolded. I also think that because of the preponderance of drug activity in Belize normally, the drug plane landing recently that these things should be considered as a tie in to her disappearance.

And to think that Alison was able to stay in Belize for a month with no problems, apparently anyway, yet one night on an island. Why then?

Belize’s Island Paradise Is Caught Up in a Bloods Vs Crips Floating Drug War
(Emphasis mine)

Residents told VICE News that in this tourist hub the amount of murders that actually get reported are well below the actual number and disappearances are more common than authorities let on.

Yep, Belize is a murder capital and LE there have little to no training. Anyone have any information on the captain that escorted Alison back to her tent....such as how long he's been with that company?

 

[Miss415]

I just googled & read about what happens to a corpse when person drowns . . .

"As a general rule, yes. A cadaver in the water starts to sink as soon as the air in its lungs is replaced with water. Once submerged, the body stays underwater until the bacteria in the gut and chest cavity produce enough gas—methane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide—to float it to the surface like a balloon"

So it does make sense that a body would not be found when they searched. They should not have called off search after 3 days!

How awful for her family!

 

[cobalt sky]

Daily mail has a good article with another picture and some quotes from boyfriend. I think he first introduced the idea of “a midnight stroll”
Sister of Arizona mother, 43, who vanished in Belize says she has 'never been drunk in her life' | Daily Mail Online

BBM - I've been going back through articles and also FB posts today, trying to piece together Alison's movements that evening and following morning. I can't seem to pin down exactly when PR actually last saw her, and where....out on the island somewhere? Or in their tent together? All I'm finding is MSM reporting that she was last seen walking around the island at around 10pm, but it doesn't say by whom she was seen. Then the family's report that they were told that the Captain was the last to see her at about 2:30am when he escorted her back to her tent. What's strange to me is if the Captain had to escort her back to her tent because of unsafe behavior on her part, why did he not wake PR and let him know what was going on and to keep an eye on her?

 

[LadyL]

A person who is afraid of the ocean is not under any circumstances going to voluntarily go into the water at night. I love the ocean, but never in a million years am I going to go in during darkness of night.

[sbm][bbm]

never say never
I've done it and I can't swim!

ETA: yes I was stupid but the water is so inviting