It's been two months since Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El-Arar were found dead inside a hotel room at Royal Kahal Beach Resort and still their families are no closer to getting any answers. What was initially believed to be a drug overdose now seems more like carbon monoxide poisoning, however, without a conclusive toxicology report, the police are unable to give a definitive cause.
But still, various departments are working night and day to ensure no stone is left unturned in the room - which may be the reason why the resort abruptly closed two weeks ago.
And up to last night, the team was still investigating. Courtney Menzies has this story.
The eerie video shows the light on in the room at Royal Kahal Beach Resort where three young American women were found dead - the only window lit across a facade of darkness.
It's likely due to the investigation team - comprising multiple agencies - who have been conducting carbon monoxide tests, among other processes.
Yesterday, the Commissioner of Police stated that their team is still awaiting the results of the toxicology report.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We had said about a month. I don't know if a month is up yet but we had given a timeline of a month to get the toxicology report. Remember, we are not the ones who are performing the test, the test is done in the US and certainly the lab in the US does have their commitments as well. We had paid for the services to be expedited, so we paid for the quickest way but even though we paid for the quickest way, due to the volume of work they have, they have not been able to do it. I am sure that once the result is received, Mr Sho will be more than happy to share that with us and also with you the media so that we have a clear and definitive cause of death as it relates to those three women."
In the meantime, the tests conducted by the Department of Environment and the National Fire Service confirmed that there was a heavy presence of carbon monoxide, though they did not say how much. However, reports suggest the levels were above 500ppm, or parts per million - which could be fatal for persons breathing it in.
But while the police department awaits the official reports, the family is growing more concerned everyday.
In an NBC Boston article dated yesterday, the families tell the Belizean authorities that the women, quote, "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." End quote.
Notably, in a recent unexplained tourist death in Costa Rica under somewhat similar circumstances - authorities there have said toxicology results will take two to three months.
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