Police Make Arrests in San Pedro’s Double Murder

Gary Swank & Mario Graniel

We can report tonight that investigators have made significant progress into the double murder of tour guide Mario Graniel and prominent US Doctor Gary Swank. Reports from the island of Ambergris Caye are that police have detained a woman very close to Graniel. We are told that the woman, whom we will not identify at this moment because no charges have been levied against her, is cooperating with investigators. It is believed that she played an important role in the murders of both men on Sunday morning. Swank and Graniel, both ages fifty-three, were out in the lagoon in Graniel’s skiff when they were shot. Bullets caught the target, Graniel, but Doctor Swank also received several gunshot wounds. Police say he was collateral damage. Investigators are of the belief that Graniel had a beef with one of the island’s most notorious gang figures. His apartment in the Boca del Rio area was targeted sometime between midnight on Friday and early Saturday morning. Bullets were found at the scene as well at bullet holes above his front door. Police say that Graniel failed to report the matter. He was to leave to Corozal on Sunday for a dart tournament which was postponed.  Graniel told his friend that he had a job to do and he and Swank headed to the lagoon for a fly fishing activity. The U.S. national was a prominent doctor in Roanoke, Virginia. A statement from his family reads in part, “We are heartbroken at the loss of our incredible husband and devoted father Gary Swank, M.D., who we will forever cherish. His senseless murder has left us to mourn a purposeful life ended too soon.” Swank was ‘a well-respected and well-loved colleague’ as shared by one of his patients, Rhonda Saunders.

Rhonda Saunders

Rhonda Saunders, Patient of Dr. Gary Swank

“I was stunned and I was shocked. I had tears because I was so excited about seeing him at my next visit. He was very kind, very firm. He educated well. If he had not been the type of doctor that he was I would have probably not have seen him. Our first was in the E.R.”