Was William Neal murdered over land dispute?

William Nathaniel Neal

We reported last Friday on the murder of eighty-two year old William Neal, a resident of Corner Central American Boulevard and Vernon Street in Belize City.  Neal was found dead late Friday afternoon and there were no signs of forced entry into his home nor is it known when he was actually murdered. Witnesses have not come forward and police are following all leads. It is believed the murder was triggered by a land dispute. Today, we met with his daughter and a woman who was close to Neal.  Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The post mortem on the body of eighty two year old William Nathaniel Neal certified that he died from a stab wound to the heart.  It appeared that he was killed by someone he knew well since there are no signs of forced entry to his two storey wooden home.  When police arrived at his residence before four last Friday evening they discovered Neal lying face up in a room with a stab wound to the left side of his chest. But while police try to solve this murder, the question remains, why would anyone want the eighty-two year old man dead?  His daughter thinks it has to do with an ongoing conflict over land.

Eleanor McKenzie, daughter of murder victim

“My dad said that the whole land belongs to him, but they say half belongs to this guy or his relative. They went to court and they gave the guy the half, but my dad insists that he’s not giving it up because it belongs to him. and that’s what it’s been going on and on about. Before they had lashed him in his back with a machete, you know.”

Marion Ali

“Your dad had come to Channel Five some time ago over the same conflict over the land. But when we asked him for proof of the ownership, he could not provide it. Did he ever explain to you what happened with those papers?”

Eleanor McKenzie

“I have all his papers.”

Marion Ali

“To prove that he owned all the land?”

Eleanor McKenzie

“See that’s the whole thing. He had the survey that says he holds the whole land but I don’t understand it. He said he don’t see how they gave it to them and I can’t prove it.”

Neal’s neighbour said she saw him last Tuesday and Wednesday breaking down a fence that was built to divide the land in two.  Wednesday was the last day he was seen alive.  Darlin Nunez said Neal prophesied his death was imminent.

Darlin Nunez, close friend of murder victim

“Christmas Day ih call me di night and ih tell me thanks fi weh I send fi ah and thing. And ih she dehn wah kill me yoh know, dehn wah kill me. Ih she dehn di threaten fi kill mi. we ask ah why ih noh report it to di police and he seh he go but dehn noh pay he no mind. Dat dah weh he mi tell me.”

Marion Ali

“Did he say who was threatening him? Was it the same relative?”

Darlin Nunez

“I noh know dah who mi di threaten ah.”

Neal remembers the old man she also took as dad and who taught her a lesson in the game of checkers.

Darlin Nunez

“Anybody who come round and who could play checkers dehn play wid ah. Me play wid ah too. He always di win den ih laugh afta me.”

Eleanor McKenzie says that her dad’s death has motivated her to invest in the property. Neal was buried on Saturday. Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.

Police had detained a suspect but have since released that person.  They have, however, found what they believe is the murder weapon.