Allen Martinez’s Family Seeking Answers into Death of Loved One
Allen Martinez
Last night, we told you about the gruesome discovery of the lifeless body of thirty-five-year-old Belize City resident, Allen Martinez. A post mortem examination was conducted on the body this afternoon to determine the cause of death. There were no visible signs of injuries on the badly decomposed body upon discovery. As of news time, Police have not issued any official details on the results of that autopsy. Today, News Five’s Paul Lopez spoke with a relative of Martinez about his disappearance and the days leading up to Monday’s revelation. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Another mother mourns, following the gruesome discovery of her son’s lifeless body faced down in a pool of water along the John Smith Airport Link Road. The parents of thirty-five-year-old Allen Martinez arrived at the location at approximately twelve thirty p.m. on Monday. He had been missing since Saturday, September third.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We are awaiting the postmortem examination. I can say that the inspection of the body there seems to be no signs of injuries on the body. So, we have to wait the postmortem to see what the cause of death is. And, based on that we will see what category we will put it under, whether it is homicide. So, I think the postmortem should be conducted this afternoon. Once it is out we will have the public notified of it.”
Martinez’s sister, Stacy Jones, is currently in the U.S. preparing to fly home to Belize for her brother’s funeral. Via Zoom, she told us that a search team, including one of her brothers, her father, and a group of B.D.F. officers, had been searching for Martinez since Monday of last week.
Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones, Sister of Deceased
“Based on the information that was provided by my dad and my family, because my dad was the one that initiated the search, in junction with people, friends and family, and some of the B.D.F. that works along with my brother, they started searching the hot spots. One of which is the John Smith Road, just to rule out the possibility, the inevitable, just to make sure. As the time continued to pass, the day passed, the hours passed, we realized the search needed to be continued so that we can provide the necessary aid as soon as possible.”
The search for Martinez was fruitless, but on Monday, Jones’ parents received a call informing them of the grisly discovery. The family was left baffled, because the search team had canvassed that very location during their previous efforts.
Stacey Jones
“The family and friends and the search team was canvassing that area throughout the days leading up and ever since Monday which was the day they made the missing persons report. And, to no avail, they did not receive any fruitful information. So, the fact that it came after their day of rest which was Sunday, that the body was found and it was found in a location which they believe was already part of the canvassing.”
The family is now hoping to get some answers, through a thorough police investigation, regarding the circumstances that led to the death of their loved one.
Stacey Jones
“It is a pity that we have to get to this point where families keep crying out for help, where some sort of support, when things of this nature happens. It seems to be the norm in Belize where the police come out, speak to us and it is like water under the bridge. The family has to implement and initiate all these necessary strategies to get things done and there is no credible thing. I saw the news reports yesterday from the various outlets yesterday with regards to the commissioner where he specified there is a shortage or they are stretched thin with the human resources of the police department. I think that is a sincere response to the many plea and issues that have been going on. We are aware that this is a dire issue in Belize where people are being hurt and thrown, savagely killed and thrown into areas that is now an official hotspot. Many years ago I had a previous issue with my other brother who was killed and it was the same response from the commissioner, it is all like it is accepted, it is a norm.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
