Found Deceased GUATEMALA - Catherine Shaw, 23, British backpacker, 4 March 2019

[Bugurl747]

I’m just curious if this story about Cat is accurate or not. I guess the point is moot, as it doesn’t change anything at this point. I’ll wait to hear who is arrested before I venture to share my own thoughts on this. MOO

Gotcha.
I would imagine there would be cctv footage of them putting the container on the counter that could be verified?
If they had hash and made cookies, other would know about it. Where were the cookies made? Who else did they share with?

In my mind I found it to be potentially legit because of the statement made about Cat seeming... I can't remember the adjective used in the article but something along the lines of her being really weak or fatigued looking ?
I correlated that with her potentially eating a laced cookie and being high.

Also, it sounded like they had some POI right away and were conducting numerous interviews per articles that I read which was curious, IMO.

 

[Dre]

I have a feeling they had been using this van since Cali, it seems like a long road trip adventure. My partner and I take trips like this, we can either sleep in the car, or we can camp with our tent, or if you’re feeling like it, find a cheap place to stay with a bed and shower etc. I wouldn’t find it strange if they were staying in the hostel but were keeping a lot of their travel stuff in the van
MOO

 

[Estrella]

So interesting. Are there any drugs that are legal or decriminalized? Is there a big drinking scener, bars, etc? Thank you for your info. Having a local is so helpful.

Guatemala is a "pass-through" for drugs coming from South America. It is the jump-off point for drugs to the United States. The DEA has a big operation near the Pacific coast. No drugs are legal here. On the other hand, it is easy to go to the local pharmacy and get prescription drugs without a prescription. I live outside La Antigua and it is not a hippie scene at all but we still have lots of bars, drinking, and drugs. Young people making poor choices. But there are a lot of NGOs here and many work or volunteer so maybe we have a crowd that is not so airy-fairy. We have certainly had our share of criminals wanted in the US and fled to Guatemala. Interesting when one realizes they have hanging out with people wanted by the FBI. People tend to reinvent themselves when they come here. Guatemala will bring out your best or worst self.

 

[Estrella]

Gotcha.
I would imagine there would be CCTV footage of them putting the container on the counter that could be verified?
If they had hash and made cookies, others would know about it. Where were the cookies made? Who else did they share with?

In my mind I found it to be potentially legit because of the statement made about Cat seeming... I can't remember the adjective used in the article but something along the lines of her being really weak or fatigued looking ?
I correlated that with her potentially eating a laced cookie and being high.

Also, it sounded like they had some POI right away and were conducting numerous interviews per articles that I read which was curious, IMO.

Were they handing out cookies in the video I posted earlier?

It would not surprise me if they didn't know who the POI was pretty quickly. People talk, it is not a heavily populated area and people know each other, I am speaking of locals. And there is a reward.

 

[ilovematt]

Guatemala is a "pass-through" for drugs coming from South America. It is the jump-off point for drugs to the United States. The DEA has a big operation near the Pacific coast. No drugs are legal here. On the other hand, it is easy to go to the local pharmacy and get prescription drugs without a prescription. I live outside La Antigua and it is not a hippie scene at all but we still have lots of bars, drinking, and drugs. Young people making poor choices. But there are a lot of NGOs here and many work or volunteer so maybe we have a crowd that is not so airy-fairy. We have certainly had our share of criminals wanted in the US and fled to Guatemala. Interesting when one realizes they have hanging out with people wanted by the FBI. People tend to reinvent themselves when they come here. Guatemala will bring out your best or worst self.

We love eco friendly travel and adventure traveling so Guatemala is on our list. You guys have some really amazing hidden gem wineries, too. Thank you so much for all of this local insight. It’s very helpful.

 

[Bugurl747]

SBM

Another thing I just noticed is this article talks about her staying in a camper van, not a hostel. I'm confused about that.
"Lucie Blackman Trust chief executive Matthew Searle told the Sun Online that Catherine went missing overnight. He added: "She was staying in a camper van with a friend who raised the alarm when she woke in the morning, and saw she wasn't there. "Her belongings were all left in the van."

I have a feeling they had been using this van since Cali, it seems like a long road trip adventure. MOO

Cat's friend, Elena, gives a detailed timeline and account of where she saw Cat last and the happenings surrounding the disappearance on her FB account and the cctv confirms her account and placing her at the Eco Hotel. All other reports indicate this as well.

The Sun appears to be a UK tabloid, I haven't heard about a camper until I read that in there. MOO

 

[Dre]

Delete

 

[Bugurl747]

Were they handing out cookies in the video I posted earlier?

It would not surprise me if they didn't know who the POI was pretty quickly. People talk, it is not a heavily populated area and people know each other, I am speaking of locals. And there is a reward.

No, they both appear to be holding puppies, IMO.

 

[Bugurl747]

Here is cctv of who appears to be Cat placing her hang down, and climbing into a hammock on what is dated 3/5/19 at 0320.

It is in black and white and difficult to tell what she is wearing but IMO it appears to be her jacket, and she wraps a long scarf around her head before climbing into the hammock and covering herself up with a blanket. There is a larger dog at her feet. I wasn't able to locate the puppy. It loses a second from 0320:24 to 0321:19

 

[Mrs. Grueby]

No, they both appear to be holding puppies, IMO.

Keep watching and at 13:58, it appears the clip resumes (first part ended approximately 13:48). This time Cat is holding a package... and maybe a puppy. Her friend isn’t carrying anything.

 

[Bugurl747]

Keep watching and at 13:58, it appears the clip resumes (first part ended approximately 13:48). This time Cat is holding a package... and maybe a puppy. Her friend isn’t carrying anything.

BINGO! On 3/3/2019at 1340 they walk in with puppies, then about 20 minutes later they reenter wearing shawls and at 1357:07 ( which is 1:57 pm) you can see Cat carrying a square like container with what appears to be dark round? objects placed inside. They set it on the counter. Great eyes, Mrs. Grueby! /high five

 

[Bugurl747]

WITNEY residents have pledged to support the family of a backpacker who went missing in Guatemala.

People have been helping however they can from across the world, with £5,000 already raised on social media to support the search.

Meanwhile, by Tuesday evening, about 1,300 people had liked the Facebook group 'Finding Catherine Shaw'.

This urge to help has been mirrored in Catherine's home town, with one district councillor, Rosa Bolger, saying she was sure residents would rally round.

The councillor for Witney East said: "I'm saddened to hear the tragic news that a body has been found.

"My thoughts are with her family and friends at what must be a very difficult time.

"In Witney, we pride ourselves on our community spirit and I know we'll be here to help and support the family in any way we can."


The Oxford Mail visited Witney yesterday afternoon and discovered many residents had followed the search closely.

One owner of a town centre business, who wished to remain anonymous, said their thoughts were with Catherine's parents.


'We're here to help': Witney reacts after backpacker search in Guatemala

 

[Mrs. Grueby]

BINGO! On 3/3/2019at 1340 they walk in with puppies, then about 20 minutes later they reenter wearing shawls and at 1357:07 ( which is 1:57 pm) you can see Cat carrying a square like container with what appears to be dark round? objects placed inside. They set it on the counter. Great eyes, Mrs. Grueby! /high five

Ha! No one has ever said “great eyes” to me before! This old lady thanks you!

 

[Lass from Yorkshire]

Could the lacerations and bruising be from a fall? Could the lack of clothes mean that Cat wanted to be one with nature as the sun rose? I feel really sad about this one, I hoped she was just having an episode of some sort and would be found alive. I can't bear to think that someone so chilled might have ended her days in fear.

My thoughts exactly - could be many reasons for what has happened

 

[Estrella]

Guatemala as a whole may take a stand on drugs largely due to the violence related to drug cartels, but the Lake Atitlan area is known for the party scene and is lax.
There are plenty of liquor stores all over Guatemala, and there are drunks passed out on the streets. It is an issue. MOO

The drunks passed out in the streets are alcoholic locals and not partying young people. The young people party in bars. Alcoholism is a huge problem with men in Guatemala. When high-level politicians, like the former VP and President who are in prison, awaiting trials, nobody but the US takes a really takes a hard stand against drugs. These politicians and many others have been involved with cartels and gangs.

 

[Ironside]

Safety and security - Guatemala travel advice

After reading this I might revise my "perhaps she just fell" stance.

 

[Ched]

Another tragic ending , poor soul

 

[jessie]

A British woman who went missing in Guatemala probably died in "a tragic accident", a charity has said.

Missing Briton died in 'tragic accident'

Catherine Shaw, 23, from Witney, Oxfordshire, was reported missing after she left Hotel Mayachik near Lake Atitlan on 5 March.

Her body was found by a search team about 60ft (18m) from the top of the Indian Nose hiking trail on Monday.

The Lucie Blackman Trust, which has been helping Ms Shaw's family, said "foul play was probably not involved".

Trust chief executive Matthew Searle said speculation that she was raped and murdered was "incredibly unhelpful, distressing and unnecessary".

'Loved sunrises'
He said Ms Shaw had been fasting and she may have passed out or fallen "due to her lack of intake of food and fluid".

He added: "She was very much a nature lover and adored sunrises, so it seems quite conceivable that she went up the mountain to greet the sunrise, shedding clothing as she went."

 

[zecats]

Gotcha.
I would imagine there would be cctv footage of them putting the container on the counter that could be verified?
If they had hash and made cookies, other would know about it. Where were the cookies made? Who else did they share with?

In my mind I found it to be potentially legit because of the statement made about Cat seeming... I can't remember the adjective used in the article but something along the lines of her being really weak or fatigued looking ?
I correlated that with her potentially eating a laced cookie and being high.

Also, it sounded like they had some POI right away and were conducting numerous interviews per articles that I read which was curious, IMO.

Eating a cookie or in some way partaking in marijuana, might have (in her mind) enhanced the experience of hiking up to the lookout to watch the sunrise. It may also have impaired her judgment and reflex reactions to defend herself and/or prevent herself from falling off.

Possible someone saw her leave the hostel to begin this hike and followed her?

JMO and speculation.

 

[swedeheart]

A British woman who went missing in Guatemala probably died in "a tragic accident", a charity has said.

Missing Briton died in 'tragic accident'

Catherine Shaw, 23, from Witney, Oxfordshire, was reported missing after she left Hotel Mayachik near Lake Atitlan on 5 March.

Her body was found by a search team about 60ft (18m) from the top of the Indian Nose hiking trail on Monday.

The Lucie Blackman Trust, which has been helping Ms Shaw's family, said "foul play was probably not involved".

Trust chief executive Matthew Searle said speculation that she was raped and murdered was "incredibly unhelpful, distressing and unnecessary".

'Loved sunrises'
He said Ms Shaw had been fasting and she may have passed out or fallen "due to her lack of intake of food and fluid".

He added: "She was very much a nature lover and adored sunrises, so it seems quite conceivable that she went up the mountain to greet the sunrise, shedding clothing as she went."

maybe i'm getting too cynical with age, although i think it's more about watching/reading too much news, too, but i'm skeptical about this. i do not think it makes a whole lot of sense that it would have been an accident, unless she starting stripping off her jacket and scarf along the way (2 miles?). ok if she was tripping out, she possibly did this, but... why didn't the puppy fall down with her? it was so small, surely she was holding it the whole time, especially if she was close to the edge! and where are the rest of her clothes? if she was naked when she was found, her panties, possible bra, and any other garments would be right there, or along that same trail, right? hmmm. terrible that a woman can't feel safe exploring the world. makes me so angry.