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

[Satchie]

Can we find any cases where an expat Canadian or American was killed and a Belize national was arrested, charged and convicted? I don't see much of a deterrent to locals regarding crime against tourists or retired expats.

Canadian Matthiew Klinck was killed (stabbed) in his home in Jan 2016 and two locals were arrested. The Canadian had befriended one of them, who had apparently decided to rob him. http://amandala.com.bz/news/santa-elena-teens-19-16-remanded-klinck-murder-confession-police/

There are elements in the case of Fransesca and Drew that point away from it being a crime by poverty-stricken locals: the attack seems to have been planned by someone who knew their movements and, possibly, that they had a large amount of cash on their persons.

Also, I think duct tape is a luxury norteno product, probably only available in expensive stores, but I would love to hear about that from someone who lives in Belize. Certainly I never saw it in Mexico, local people reuse old wire or rope.

There was also a very sophisticated and almost successful attempt to conceal the crime, especially by disabling the car and hiding the bodies separately, possibly knowing they were due to be burned, which, IMO, implies the temperment of an educated sociopath rather than of a violent ****.



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[otto]

According to the Paraiso Village Facebook page, it is located where I've placed the red dot.

View attachment 116382

The bodies were found between Chan Chen village and Patchakan village. Thanks for the update on the location of Pariaso Village - nearly impossible to find on a map. Actually, that does change things because the car was very likely ditched close to where the suspect lived ... or is there more than one person behind this and thus two vehicles.

 

[kmclaren]

I think this is a new article as of today:

Belize cops have wrong guy: friend

http://www.torontosun.com/2017/05/05/ontario-man-reportedly-to-be-charged-in-belize-slayings-idd

 

[zencompass]

A year after Anne Swaney was murdered in Belize - still no conviction.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/1-year-later-murder-of-abc7-producer-in-belize-still-unsolved/1705719/

 

[Satchie]

Didn't follow the MK case but from the news link it appears that police also considered robbery as the motive but nothing was taken from his home?

His home was ransacked and robbed and his money was located at the perps home.


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[zencompass]

In 2013:

Vancouver, B.C., Canada woman murdered in Belize. No conviction.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...porowich-stabbed-to-death-in-belize-1.2303938

 

[Kamille]

I think this is a new article as of today:



http://www.torontosun.com/2017/05/05/ontario-man-reportedly-to-be-charged-in-belize-slayings-idd

While I tend to agree with JD's friends that the country is corrupt and that people are bound to be used as scapegoats, I'd also like to know if he was at the "farewell" party for his good friend, if not why?, if so when did he leave? I'd also like to know why he was not the person who was going to drive her to the airport the next day. Although since the young man indicated that he leaves early each morning and returns late, he may have a job? It appears he's actually been living there full time for 3 years.

MOO

 

[zencompass]

2014: American retiree, Dennis Waltz, murdered in Belize:

https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2014/03/29/american-retiree-shot-death-sarteneja-village/

 

[Kamille]

Canadian Mom Killed in Belize Was Not Threatened, Friend Says: ‘She Loved it There’

http://people.com/crime/toronto-mom-francesca-matus-murdered-in-belize/

 

[otto]

Can we find any cases where an expat Canadian or American was killed and a Belize national was arrested, charged and convicted? I don't see much of a deterrent to locals regarding crime against tourists or retired expats.

In other news, the Toronto Star is reporting that JD has been released. There seems to be some confusion about this.

https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/...stioned-in-belize-death-of-toronto-woman.html

I don't see JD being responsible for these murders at this time unless he has an unrequited love for FM and decided to get revenge since he can't have her? I can't see any other motive for him. :waitasec:

If anyone might have a problem with people buying up and working to develop waterfront property in Belize, I'd think it would be a local who may be put out in some way....just saying.

MOO

BBM

I think you're on to something here. With so many expats being murdered, it does look like someone objects to expats. Locals might feel that tourism will take over their country and ruin their way of lawless life ... along the lines of not wanting to be americanized with american materialism.

 

[Satchie]

In 2013:

Vancouver, B.C., Canada woman murdered in Belize. No conviction.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...porowich-stabbed-to-death-in-belize-1.2303938

I've always had a odd feeling about that case, that it was staged to look like a home invasion. Nothing was stolen, although she had assets elsewhere. If the family doesn't make a big stink, call in the FBI, etc, it's true the case may remain unsolved.

Review the websleuths forum and you'll find plenty of other unsolved cases, mostly based in the US.

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[zencompass]

The majority of the victims owned homes in Belize.

All were murdered with a knife except for Mr. Waltz (gun shot) and the latest two murders - asphyxiation (as per the authorities there).

There are comments on some websites dating back a few years that the government is aware that there are people making "hits" on certain property owners who are ex-pats. I am researching more of this.

 

[dotr]

https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17216

There have been numerous reports of fraud committed against expatriates and Belizeans who have attempted to purchase land in Belize. Many expats have reported being the victim of scams in which land is purchased that was not available, land was purchased that was legally owned by other parties; or land that they had purchased was subsequently sold without their knowledge to others. It has been reported that authorities have not been proactive in investigating these crimes.

 

[andreww]

The bodies were found between Chan Chen village and Patchakan village. Thanks for the update on the location of Pariaso Village - nearly impossible to find on a map. Actually, that does change things because the car was very likely ditched close to where the suspect lived ... or is there more than one person behind this and thus two vehicles.

My thought is that the car was ditched in a place that would make it appear he was fleeing to Mexico.

 

[dotr]

Lots of weird components to this murder, imo. .

Duct tape on both victims, but only on each of their right wrists, but not secured to one another.
Car left in one area, bodies in another.
Car keys,registration and battery missing.
Jewellery and wallet still with victims.
Ex marine, 6'6'', young and strong, strangled.
Marine's body found partially atop FM's petite body.

 

[musicaljoke]

BBM

I think you're on to something here. With so many expats being murdered, it does look like someone objects to expats. Locals might feel that tourism will take over their country and ruin their way of lawless life ... along the lines of not wanting to be americanized with american materialism.

I'm not sure that the motive is against tourism, since it employs lots of local people, but I do suspect that when a foreigner is murdered, there isn't a huge incentive to solve the crime, and when a foreigner is murdered by another foreigner, there is no incentive at all.

 

[Mamamerced]

I'm not sure that the motive is against tourism, since it employs lots of local people, but I do suspect that when a foreigner is murdered, there isn't a huge incentive to solve the crime, and when a foreigner is murdered by another foreigner, there is no incentive at all.

Tourism erodes the local culture.....just look at Hawaii.

 

[fred&edna]

O/T

IMO There's a lot of corruption... cons, schemes, and government.

'Quite a rabbit hole is the case with William Danny Mason, cabinet ministers, murder of Pastor Lucas. (Just google WDM and/or alias Ted Oulette). I still don't understand that entire story.

And, also... I found one perp charged in three separate cases, and I still don't know if he's been sentenced in any of them.

Sept 2014 - Attempted murder
http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=30193

April 2015 - Aggravated assault
https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2015/04/29/man-charged-shooting-mahogany-heights/

Feb 2016 - Attempted murder/Robbery
http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=35262

 

[LayzeeDayzee]

While I tend to agree with JD's friends that the country is corrupt and that people are bound to be used as scapegoats, I'd also like to know if he was at the "farewell" party for his good friend, if not why?, if so when did he leave? I'd also like to know why he was not the person who was going to drive her to the airport the next day. Although since the young man indicated that he leaves early each morning and returns late, he may have a job? It appears he's actually been living there full time for 3 years.

MOO

I'm more curious why Drew wasn't the one to drive Francesca to the airport, versus anyone else. The 2 spend months together, they're both returning to their respective countries (him to fly home to the U.S. several days after she is due to fly home to Canada), you would think he'd be the one to drive her, want to say goodbye to her at the airport.

 

[dotr]

[video=youtube;Rf3Y0dK8A0w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf3Y0dK8A0w[/video]