Watchman Murdered on Mapp Caye; 2 Others Missing
The eighth murder for the New Year was recorded today. Police say a watchman is dead and two others are missing from Mapp Caye. While his name has not been confirmed, his body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head and dumped in a latrine. The last time trio’s families heard from them was last week Friday and a check on the caye this morning turned up the decomposing body of the watchman. A fisherman and the owner of the caye, Evan Neal, are nowhere to be found. Police and Coast Guard are now looking for the missing men. Today police told the press that the incident appears to be connected to other attacks that have happened on cayes in recent months. Police suspect these attacks are drug related.
Alejandro Cowo
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
“Police visited Mapp Caye which is located about three miles northeast of Belize City. Upon arrival, they observed the motionless body of a male person in an advanced state of decomposition inside of a latrine. Also observed on the male person was a suspected gunshot wound to the back of his head. What we understand so far is that he was along with two other persons at the camp, Mapp Caye and the last time they heard from them was on Friday. Family members became concerned as they were trying to call the persons at the island and no one answered; hence the reason they had visited the Coast Guard and along with police, they went to the location and that is where they found the body this morning. There is no identity up to now.”
Andrea Polanco
“And then you are saying a second person. Is there anyone presumed missing at this time?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“The other two persons; we were informed by the family members that they were supposed to be on the island and they cannot be located up to now.”
Andrea Polanco
“Do you have any identity for these individuals?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“Only one name; Mister Evan Neal. And also two small vessels are missing.”
Andrea Polanco
“Are you investigating this as a robbery or perhaps a drug deal gone bad out at sea? Are there anything specifically that you are looking at in terms of investigating this particular case?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“We believe that it is linked up to other incidents that have been happening in that immediate area during the past month or month and a half.”
Reporter
“Relating to what incident sir?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“There was an incident where two guys were shot with a fishing rod. That was about two months ago and thereafter there was another incident about three weeks ago, involving a male and a female.”
Andrea Polanco
“Do you have any idea what could be prompting these attacks on these persons who are out stationed on those cayes?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“We suspect it is drug related.”
