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The distraught father of four was said to have been having financial problems and was down and out over the poor performance of his recently opened business in the city. Monica Bodden was on the scene.

Monica Bodden, Reporting
Mario Varacalli was found lying on his back with his two feet hanging off this chair inside his restaurant. On the table in front of him was this half eaten sandwich an ashtray filled with countless cigarette butts - a crystal water bottle, a telephone, a calculator and an imposing stack of bills.

He was found a little after 8 this morning by one of his employee's who came to open the establishment. Ester Gillett was the first to see him - she asked to appear off camera

Ester Gillett - Employee
"I came in this morning and I saw my boss laying down where he usually lays when he stays here in the night. I went to the back and open the shutters thinking he was going to get up but when I came back to the front I notice that he didn't get up so I walked toward him. While walking toward him I saw that his foot was dark in color so I went closer and I look down at this chest but he wasn't breathing so I went outside for Mr. Cain that usually help open every morning and I ask him to please come with me because something is wrong with my boss, so he came with me and he check him, he felt him and he says the he is cold. Mr. Cain says that he is not breathing at all."

Varacalli who was the owner of the Hungry Monkey Restaurant that opened in Belize City in January resides in San Pedro and would sometimes overnight at his restaurant.

So for his employees it was nothing out of the ordinary yesterday when he decided that he would spend the night. According to Gillett he was having some problems and asked to talk it over with her.

Ester Gillett - Employee
"We left at 5 O'clock because we didn't have any business and he just told me to close up and to bring him something to drink. He wanted to talk to me about what was going on with his family. I told him I was coming back and he was giving me $24 to buy something to drink, I told him when I come back I will go the Chinese shop to buy it. I never came back, about 6:30 - 7:00 he sent me a text and told me that he was still waiting. He knows that I was not coming back but he was waiting on something to drink. He still wanted something to drink but he can't come out because he's lock in and I am the only one that has the key. I never answer the text, 12:00 he text me again saying that he was having some problems and to please let me bring him some coffee tomorrow when I came."

Monica Bodden
"Do you think that is was family problems or financial problems?"

Ester Gillett - Employee
"Everything. Business was up and down and he was having problems home also."

But his employees did agree that Varacalli was not quite himself yesterday - and he did make mention of committing suicide.

Monica Bodden
"Do you suspect that it was a suicide?"

Monica Bodden
"Yeah because he was saying to us yesterday, we were all laughing about it."

Monica Bodden "What did he mention yesterday?"

Ester Gillett - Employee
"He said that he just wants to take something to go to sleep and never wake up."

His wife Rosalie was in San Pedro when she got the news and flew in minutes after. As she got into the restaurant, she was consoled by one of her employees.

Ester Gillett - Employee
"Yesterday he didn't look good. Even the young lady from the water taxi said the same thing."

The body of Mario Varacalli was removed from his restaurant shortly after 10 this morning and carted away in a hearse to the city's morgue - an indication that police do not suspect foul play.

There were no obvious signs of foul play, but until an autopsy can be performed the cause of death is still unknown. The sandwich shop opened its doors for business in January of this year. According to employees business had not been good recently and their water had been disconnected.