#BreakingNews #BelizeNews #StannCreekNews The body of Sherris Stringham was found last night by Police Officers near Pomona Village, 4 minors and 1 eighteen year old are said to be in Police Custody. Brico stated he understands the outrage that exists in the community given the impact it can have on the vital tourism sector. A Few Words About the Costa Rica Murder Rate. They had been missing for nearly a week. She was talking to another man around 8:30 p.m. in a yard when the mans wife showed up and stabbed her out of jealousy, according to Amandala. They were identified as Ernest Wills Sr., 49, Travis Cooke, 23, Allison Jones, 19, Jamar Martinez, 23, and Winston Santos, 40. They were travelling along George Price Highway shortly before noon, in a small blue SUV being driven by their tour guide, Leon Garcia of Big John's Tour "We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss," said a U.S. State Department spokesman in Washington. In Central America, Belize is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Americans. What about now? The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions, Williams told 7 News Belize. Wheres the Best Hospital Near Me in Central America? Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently 4:50 pm CST. The transit of drugs, particularly cocaine and precursor chemicals for methamphetamine, has risen. The police came with their canine unit, and the scent led them along the river but due to the darkness the search was called off for the night before finding her," Arzu told ABC7 Chicago. PHOTOS: Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney, 1976-2016. If you read the US State Departments OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) Crime & Safety Report for Belize in 2018, youll see the words exercise increased caution. U.S. Embassy officials urge visitors to Belize to travel only in groups, only during the day; avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables. Bowens was struck by a stray bullet. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! WebBelize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local outlet 7 News Belize on Saturday that two men had been arrested and charged with murder in the killing that occurred Friday They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. Alison MacKenzie was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize, on Jan. 18, 2020. Investigators said that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. He has called on residents of San Pedro to stand with police as they hunt for criminals in the community. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal on Wednesday; showers will linger, 5 Freeway closed through Grapevine due to snow, ice, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. On Feb. 19, rival drug dealers opened fire at Art Beach Tulum, a restaurant on the outskirts of Tulum where an order of sea bass with asparagus risotto and seaweed cream goes for $35. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. "We don't really have any areas around here that are off limits to, we don't say don't go somewhere," said Tom Thomas, a resort operator. When you include them with the total number of murders (142 in 2017) in a country with the population of Tampa, Florida, you have one of the highest homicide rates in the world. In January 2016, a vacationing news anchor from Chicago died in Cayo District. To date, there has been little released about this double murder or any hope of solving it. As far as if its safe to come to Belize, I say yes as long as you keep your eyes open and your wits about you. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no one had been detained for questioning. Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. Business owner Lamont Lipka shot and killed in San Pedro The San Pedro Sun https://t.co/rambnluOZE via @SanPedroSun, The San Pedro Sun (@SanPedroSun) May 14, 2018. Download. The incident could have far-reaching implications on the tourism sector, which when taken in the larger context of the services sector, helps account for over 50 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product. Officials said a San Pedro resident was killed three days later by two unknown masked men. Im not sure if the recent decline in tourists is because of sargassum or increasing crime or both. "Definitely it hits the entire industry of Belize for tourists," said Karen Pike, Belize Tourism Board. U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security: 2015 report on Belize crime, U.S. State Department: Belize country report, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, operated by U.S. State Department, Mt. Is Guatemala City Safe? Its also the only nightclub that opens after midnight. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. Drugs? Become part of the Facebook community, like our Placencia Crime Watchgroupso you know whats happening in your area. Anne Swaney from Chicago was that person - her life taken as she did yoga by herself on this riverside platform 1,700 miles from home; something no one could have predicted, and only her killer could have prevented. It holds a diverse number of species. The rash of violence follows what officials said have been months of deadly crimes in the beach oasis. A member of the tour group reported that when they woke up the next morning around 6:00 a.m., MacKenzie was nowhere to be found, according to a spokesperson for the Belize Police Department. This should be a concern as Belize survives on tourism. We've received your submission. Shortly thereafter, the assistant manager and the bartender went to look for her. Advertising Opportunity Looking for Internet marketing, social media presence and direct email exposure to a Belizean oriented market of over 500,000 individuals every month? The club is located in San Pedros Central Park. WebToday we learned the tragic news that Carilion interventional cardiologist Dr. Gary Swank was found murdered in Belize, along with a local tour guide. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon. An 18-year old suspect was charged. WebCosta Rica Sarcasm & Fun. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. WebBelow find the latest compiled statistical information on the Tourism Industry in Belize. According to Nola.com, the victims name is JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. https://t.co/EWrcbLmyKs, Que Pasa Corozal (@QuePasaCorozal) September 1, 2018. Swaney, 39, was an avid world traveler and on a vacation in the Cayo District of western Belize, a popular destination for American adventure travelers and horse enthusiasts. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no Both men were rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where they were pronounced dead. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. Both men went into the water to rescue her. Download. Police say criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize. We are fed up of the press conferences and constant claims that show crime is decreasing, said John Briceno, leader of the Peoples United Party. The commander in charge of the Anne Swaney investigation says he received training in the U.S. from the FBI. Robberies and assaults have been reported in resort areas. Pretty much every visitor toRead More Is Guatemala City Safe? Gary Peterson lives on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize, where he writes books about Central America and the Caribbean. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries. Im very serious about me and my wifes personal safety. For more info, visit our Affiliate Disclosure Page. https://t.co/DOPUhxwZrt, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) September 5, 2018. The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. 1 file(s) 142.81 KB. They told the owner who called the police. Breaking Belize News is able to offer a marketing package that uses internet, social media and email to reach over 500,000 Belizean-centric potential customers each month. Robbery? News. The San Pedro Barrier Reef. Its been a few years now since I moved to Belize and I think Ive assimilated well into my local community. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently promoted to associate professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was on vacation with his wife and school-age children when he was killed on Sunday, according to NBC affiliate WSLS. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report. The man, a Guatemalan national, maintains he was just fishing and was not involved in her death, police said. Many of their vehicles, weapons and other equipment are provided by the U.S. Government. Until recently, the only notable murder involvement by a US citizen was the bizarre John McAfee situation on Ambergris Caye back in 2012. The police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. According to the document, the country urges increased caution due to high levels of violent crime, such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. Or were they just in the wrong place at the wrong time? And then just this month, a US retiree living in Hopkins was found, although arrests have been made in this case. Its Belize City that makes Belizes homicide rate so high (more on that below). Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. Only three percent of Belize homicides result in convictions. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Denver boy, 8, suffers horrific injuries in fall from horse during Belize vacation, Tropical Storm Lisa expected to become season's next hurricane as it approaches Central America, 'Godfather' director Francis Ford Coppola's island lists for $2.2M, Shark surprise: Mysterious Arctic species found lurking in Caribbean. All Rights Reserved. Tourists in Belize are often victims of theft, but few experience real violence. She was staying at an equine lodge last month when someone attacked her and dragged her body into the Mopan River. Violence in Cancun, for example, is quite common an attack on a bar there on Feb. 16 killed five people but most of the violence occurs far from the tourist zones along the beach. 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