Date: March 12, 2026
Reporter: Mr Johnson
Local media in Belize identified the deceased as a Canadian from Vancouver, who was found aboard a catamaran that had been drifting at sea before it was eventually brought ashore by the Belize Coast Guard.
According to officials, the Belize Coast Guard was first alerted on Monday about a vessel in distress, but at the time the boat was outside Belize’s territorial jurisdiction.
The drifting vessel later came into contact with a cruise ship, which was able to rescue a woman who was also on board. However, the ship was unable to recover the man’s body.
Days later, the catamaran entered Belizean waters, allowing authorities to secure the vessel and bring it to shore for investigation.
Officials said police are treating the boat as a potential crime scene after “apparent wounds” were discovered on the man’s body, which was already in a state of decomposition when it was recovered.
Francis Usher, the CEO of Belize’s Ministry of National Defence, said investigators are working to determine what exactly happened on the vessel.
Authorities said the deceased man’s son has travelled to Belize and is now coordinating with police and the Coast Guard to arrange for the return of his father’s remains to Canada.
Officials also said the son informed investigators that his father had left about a week earlier with a woman from Livingston, Guatemala, before the boat was later discovered drifting at sea.
The Belize Coast Guard has confirmed it will secure the vessel while police continue their investigation, as authorities attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Investigators say further inquiries are needed to determine exactly what happened aboard the catamaran before the tragic discovery was made.