And while that murder is gang related, police believe the other drug related. It involves another of those workers on a small, isolated island - the kind where drug packages sometimes float past - which, inevitably, leads to a trail of death. Over the years, we've covered too many such murders - and tonight there is one more to report. This time it's on Mapp Caye - which is off the coast of Belize City - not too far from St. George's Caye - - where a John Doe was found dead, and two other men, including the island's owner, are missing. Police say they went out there at 7:00 this morning:
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
"Police visited Mapp Caye which is located about three miles northeast of Belize City. Upon arrival, they observed the motionless body of a male person in an advanced state of decomposition inside of a latrine. Also observed on the male person was a suspected gunshot wound to the back of his head. What we understand so far is that he was along with two other persons at the camp, Mapp Caye and the last time they heard from them was on Friday. Family members became concerned as they were trying to call the persons at the island and no one answered; hence the reason they had visited the Coast Guard and along with police, they went to the location and that is where they found the body this morning. There is no identity up to now."
Reporter
"The identity for that watchman?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"There is no identity up to now."
Reporter
"And then you are saying a second person. Is there anyone presumed missing at this time?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"The other two persons; we were informed by the family members that they were supposed to be on the island and they cannot be located up to now."
Reporter
"Do you have any identity for these individuals?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"Only one name; Mr. Evan Neal. And also two small vessels are missing."
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"We believe that it is linked up to other incidents that have been happening in that immediate area during the past month or month and a half."
Reporter
"Relating to what incident sir?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"There was an incident where two guys were shot with a fishing rod. That was about two months ago and thereafter there was another incident about three weeks ago, involving a male and a female."
Reporter
"Do you have any idea what could be prompting these attacks on these persons who are out stationed on those cayes?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"We suspect it is drug related."
As you heard, the island's owner Evan Neal is unaccounted for along with two small vessels. We'll keep following this story.
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