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The family of Major Radford Baizar says that they have been worried sick about him for about a day now, and they had to learn about his death through rumors on the street. This evening, we met his mother at the entrance of the BDF's Price Barracks Compound. Here's how she explained why the lack of direct communication between her son's superiors and his family members is causing them to get suspicious about his death:

Jean Baizar, Mother of Major Baizar
"He came back home. At that time I was already leaving, never knew that that was the last time I would see my son. I guess by 2am in the morning he was called to go on this mission. He went. I didn't know that. Any which ways I heard all about this drugs bust. I always tell myself when those things happen I know he would be out there. He always said his job was risky. He loved being a pilot. That was his child dream that came through. He loved his job and yesterday about after 3 his child was sick at the hospital and the child was asking for his dad. I call him and texted him and I didn't get any response. His common-law did also. She said she was texting him from 5am that morning and she said no signal. So we thought that he would come home probably in the night. Well I put it at rest because she went home with the child. I didn't know she was calling and texting through the night and no respond."

"This morning when the child came, because I babysit my grandson, I ask him did you dad came home last night. You know little kids, he said yes and so I said okay so I went out not knowing I would hear on the streets that the BDF helicopter went down and that 2 pilots were supposed to be killed. First, they said 2 pilots was found alive, you know that was okay. Then after that you heard they died and one was Major Baizar. Nobody from BDF has called me. I am standing here at this present moment in front of the gate trying to get some answers. Nobody has called me, nobody has texted me, nobody has called his common-law wife, nobody has texted her. We no nothing."

"Just now I was at the morgue; they said the body was there. We went to the morgue, they direct and said they shift to the forensics up here. When I came the young man let me know cold, you can't go in there. I'm asking why. Now I am waiting for somebody from the BDF, Mr. Grinage has to give me permission to go into the forensics to see my child. He serve this country to the best of his abilities. He loved his job. Now you are telling me that the commissioner of Belize, none of them can't come forward to this family and let them know something went down. Is this shady? It smells stink, really stink and trust me, I will clear it up."

Today at the press conference, the CEO in the Ministry of National Security said that Baizer's wife lives at Price Barracks and they did contact with her.

And to go over the names of the dead again, they are pilots: Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar along with crew members Corporal Yassir Mendez and Corporal Reinaldo Choco.

Those in the aviation industry we spoke with say it is the second worst air disaster in Belize's history; the worst was back in the early 90's when a domestic commercial flight went down and more than 5 persons - all foreign - lost their lives. So, this is the worst air tragedy on record involving all Belizean casualties. And, it is the worst accident in memory for the BDF - which has seen a number of road accidents, but no one we spoke with could recall as many as four fatalities at once.

It is a dark day for the Force and this evening there are many statements of condolence, including from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The PM's one says, "the office of the Prime Minister records its gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice these brave men of honour made in laying down their lives in service to our country."

While the Leader of the opposition's one says, "As the nation and the families mourn this tragic loss, we are equally concerned about all the questions surrounding this accident. The press conference held by the Ministry of National Security has left many questions unanswered…We call on the Ministry of National Security to also appropriately honor the lives of these brave service men and to keep the nation updated on the progress of the investigation."