Briceo has directed Police Commissioner Chester Williams to lead the investigation into her death. Police say criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize. The many Belizeans who are assaulted and the many businesspersons who are held at gunpoint, beaten and their establishment are robbed are a persistent reminder that crime continues to rise.. The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. As already mentioned, the overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans. 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 Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted, it added. It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. Lets Talk About What Others Wont Crime In Belize. The commander in charge of the Anne Swaney investigation says he received training in the U.S. from the FBI. Become part of the Facebook community, like our Placencia Crime Watchgroupso you know whats happening in your area. As the most-visited destination in the country, San Pedro is home to the second-largest barrier reed in the world. Sticking your head into the sand of one of our beautiful Caribbean beaches is not the best way to go. Swank and his tour guide, Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., 53, were killed during a fly-fishing expedition in the San Pedro Town lagoon five days after a group of five fishermen were shot to death in Swallow Caye. Police here do have a fairly high street presence. WebToday we learned the tragic news that Carilion interventional cardiologist Dr. Gary Swank was found murdered in Belize, along with a local tour guide. Authorities say its complicated because of the proximity to the Guatemala border. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. ANNUAL "She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees," said John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC7 Chicago. This article contains a link (or links) to Amazon, from which, as an Amazon Associate, this website will earn a small commission if you make any purchases. #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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. I was stunned, I was shocked, I had tears because I was so excited about seeing him at my next visit., The State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize, urging increased caution as violent crime such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. WebFormer Belize City Councilor and Justice of the Peace Rafael Chavez dies at 71 February 26, 2023 Crime Teenage woman held up in Belize City, loses jewelry and other valuables Thanks for contacting us. 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. In Central America, Belize is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Americans. WebThere have been a few high-profile murders of tourists and expatriates. Swank and popular local tour guide Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., also 53, went fly fishing in the San Pedro Town lagoon around 10 a.m. when a dark skiff passed by and someone opened fire on their small boat, local authorities told the San Pedro Sun. ANNUAL MAJOR CRIMES STATISTICS 1 file(s) 142.47 KB. In October 2022, the U.S. State Department listed Belize as a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize. They had been missing for nearly a week. 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. An expat in Placencia was also strangled in December 2017, found next to her rental vehicle. 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. Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. There's no need to be concerned about safety on commercial flights. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon. The entire Carilion family extends Gary Peterson lives on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize, where he writes books about Central America and the Caribbean. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2020-2021. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. U.S. Embassy officials urge visitors to Belize to travel only in groups, only during the day; avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables. Tourists in Belize are often victims of theft, but few experience real violence. According to reports, around 9 pm, American national Stephanie Nevis,34, was drinking at the resort when she was informed that the bar was closing. 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. The US State Department confirmed the incident, but provided no further comment. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local news outlets that Belize officers arrested two men, charging them with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro town. Results of an autopsy are pending at the Belize City Morgue, local police said. Last fall, a man from Washington D.C was stabbed to death in his seaside hotel room; another U.S. national was attacked and killed on his farm; and a Canadian film producer was stabbed in the doorway of the home where he was staying. Who knows the circumstances of these crimes mentioned above. Central America stories, info, news, and opinion coming to you from local and expat writers in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The Belize murder rate is third highest in the world - more than twice the homicide rate of Chicago and higher than any U.S. city. Thomas and his wife operate a resort miles up a rough road in western Belize where the I-Team headquartered while reporting the story. 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. WebThe overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans themselves, but recent years have seen an increase in these types of crimes against tourists and expats. Shortly thereafter, the assistant manager and the bartender went to look for her. WebThe United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of an American tourist there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation, Read more of Garys work on his blog. Last year, a record quarter-million flew off to their rich beaches, offshore diving spots and inland jungles, teeming with wildlife along great hiking trails and meandering rivers. Or were they just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. An American woman disappeared over the weekend while vacationing in Belize, authorities said. All Rights Reserved. The killings drew international media attention but remain unsolved. She was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize, on Jan. 18, 2020. WebA tourist from Arizona has gone missing while on a catamaran tour on Rendezvous Caye in Belize, police there said Wednesday. Prospect police investigating crash involving school bus, bike, Chicago mayoral race down to Vallas, Johnson in runoff election, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. At least 125 murders were committed in Belize in 2021. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone. Its also the only nightclub that opens after midnight. To date, there has been little released about this double murder or any hope of solving it. 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. 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. Crime Stoppers Belize says WE can be more active in the fight against CRIME! Crime is an issue which should never be made political, its a problem that requires all sectors of society to fight it together.. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. Police say the case remains open and investigations continue to solve the double murder. 2020, BreakingBelizeNews.com. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time.". She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. "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. Officials said a San Pedro resident was killed three days later by two unknown masked men. Robbery? 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. What about now? Im very serious about me and my wifes personal safety. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no All Rights Reserved. Alison Mackenzie, 43, went missing early Saturday Contact us at mrkt[emailprotected]kngblznw.m or call us at 501-601-0315. WebCHICAGO -- An American tourist was killed in Belize, and the victim was identified as Anne Swaney, executive producer of digital operations at our sister station, ABC7 Chicago. 1 file(s) 142.81 KB. Alison MacKenzie, 43, of Arizona, was among a group of tourists who on Friday embarked on an overnight excursion to Rendezvous Caye, a tiny island off the coast of Belize. 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