Latest news with #Naqqad
Boston Globe
24-03-2025
- Boston Globe
Families of three Revere women found dead in Belize raise concerns about investigations
'Today, almost four weeks since their deaths were announced to the world, we continue to await the results of the primary investigation in Belize and a secondary review being conducted in Massachusetts,' the families said. Kaoutar Naqqad was one of three Revere women found dead in a hotel room in Belize in February. Her family is demanding to learn the results of the Belizean investigation into the deaths. Family of Kaoutar Naqqad Advertisement Naqqad was in college and worked at a group home helping youth, her family said. El Arar worked as a research technician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Mallah was a comfort to all who knew her and an 'irreplaceable part of the community,' her family said in an earlier statement. 'We speak today because we want the public and authorities, particularly those in Belize, to hear this: Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae deserve your best,' the Monday statement said. 'They deserve an honest and full investigation and we ask all of those in power in both Belize and the United States to join us in demanding answers to the true cause of this tragedy.' The families said Monday they're particularly concerned that the results of toxicology reports, which Belizean officials said could have been ready two weeks ago, have not been released to them. Wafae El Arar graduated from Revere High School in 2017. She and two other women were found dead in their hotel room in Belize in February. Family of Wafae El-Arar 'As the lead investigative authority, Belizean officials have a critical responsibility to thoroughly and transparently determine what caused this tragedy,' the families said. The cause of death for the three women was identified as Authorities have said alcohol and 'gummies' were found in the women's room. Advertisement Because official investigation results have not been released, the family continues to push for answers as to what could have led to all three deaths. 'Our loved ones deserve transparency and all who visit Belize, especially the resort, deserve to know they are safe,' the statement said. Imane Mallah was vacationing with two friends in Belize when the group of three women from Revere were found dead on Feb. 22. Family of Imane Mallah The family said they're also demanding to know why the hotel reportedly 'We are deeply alarmed by news reports which suggest that carbon monoxide levels in the hotel could have been at dangerously high levels and that the resort has now suddenly closed without public explanation,' the statement said. 'We believe the families of all guests – past and future – deserve a clear explanation for this action. We respectfully urge the resort's management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately, so that no other family has to endure the unimaginable pain we must now bear.' The message from the families of Naqqad, El Arar and Mallah comes The families expressed their gratitude for the 'prayers, patience and privacy' they've received from the community as they navigate their loss. 'Our families are incredibly grateful to the outpouring of support we have received from family, friends, leaders and loved ones since their passing,' they said. 'May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace.' Claire Thornton can be reached at
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Three American women who died at Belize resort ‘may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning'
Authorities are investigating the possibility that three American women who were found dead in their Belize resort room last month may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to reports. Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Maliah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26 — who are all from Revere, Massachusetts — were found dead in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize on February 22. They were last seen on CCTV footage entering their room a day before their bodies were found by resort staff, and early pathology findings suggested they could have been dead for 20 hours before they were discovered. Families of the three women spoke out this week, saying the circumstances around their deaths remain 'unclear and suspicious'. First responders at the scene reportedly said the women were found with froth around their mouths, according to the New York Post, and local police said in a statement that alcohol and gummies were found in their hotel room, according to Channel 5 Belize. 'We're not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we're looking at every possibility,' Local Police Commissioner Chester Williams said at the time. The women's bodies have since been taken back to the US, where the Daily Mail reports a second autopsy is being conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts. The Daily Mail reports a source close to one of the women's families saying preliminary investigations indicate a fatal build-up of fluid in their lungs was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, though this has not been confirmed. That source said investigators had uncovered other non-fatal incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Royal Kahal resort, including at least one other American. Speaking out for the first time following the tragedy, the families of Naqqad, Mallah and El-Arar issued a joint statement to People on Tuesday urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths. "We ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this profound sorrow," they said. The families also shared memories of each of the women. They said Naqqad, a college student who was a support worker in a group home for troubled youth, wanted to be a police officer and was 'compassionate, caring, and deeply devoted to those she loved'. Mallah was remembered for being a 'beacon of kindness' with an 'infectious smile, sparkling wit, and an unwaveringly optimistic heart.' The families said: 'Imane's excitement for life was matched only by her compassion for others, making her a cherished friend and an irreplaceable part of the community.' El-Arar, a research technician at Massachusetts General Hospital, had dedicated herself to reproductive rights, and was remembered for being "full of life, dreams and unwavering faith'. After their deaths, supporters and loved ones set up GoFundMe pages to help their families cover the cost of transporting their bodies back to the US and their funerals.
