Vessel Found, but Still No Signs of 2 Fishermen

The police have been working closely with the Belize Coast Guard as investigations continue into this triple homicide at sea. Now there are a number of fishing camps at and around Swallow Caye and off Drown Caye that can be spotted from the Belize City coastline.  Fisherfolks from those various camps have been interviewed in the process of the investigation. Vice Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Captain Elton Bennett told News Five via phone that along with a number of civilian vessels, searches conducted today led to the discovery of the boat that the men were aboard.

On the Phone: Captain Elton Bennett, Vice Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“We deployed along with police and went into the area of Swallow Caye, just off Belize City where we found a body floating. Search continued this morning and we found two other bodies floating at sea and from what we understand, we are looking for two more. Apparently, there were five men total onboard a vessel that went out to sea from Tuesday of this week. So we have five bodies that we are looking for; there are two still missing at sea. We found the vessel that the men were onboard; we have that secured at our headquarters.”

Andrea Polanco

“No other sign of maybe something that may have happened on the vessel? Anything at all?”

On the Phone: Captain Elton Bennett

“Gunshots…Well the bodies all turned up with gunshots so we know there’s a violent end to that story. As it relates to forensics onboard the vessel; that has not been done as yet. We have that in custody and we will be doing investigation in that regard to see if there are any traces that we can find.”

Andrea Polanco

“And no properties—any bags, any personal items—at all found?”

On the Phone: Captain Elton Bennett

“No. Not found on board.”