Friends, family of 3 American women who died at Belize beach resort cast doubt on possible overdose theory

A Tragic Loss in Belize: Questions Surround the Deaths of Three Young Americans

The deaths of three young American women—Kaoutar Naqqad, 23; Imane Mallah, 24; and Wafae El-Arar, 26—found unresponsive at a Belize beach resort, have sparked widespread grief, confusion, and skepticism. Their bodies were discovered at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Saturday, and while local authorities have suggested the possibility of an overdose, friends, family, and community members in Revere, Massachusetts, where the women were from, are questioning this narrative. At a vigil held in their honor, loved ones remembered the trio as kind, responsible, and cherished members of their community, and they expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of transparency from Belizean authorities.

The Women: Beloved and Respected Members of Their Community

Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El-Arar were remembered at the vigil as three young women whose lives were marked by kindness, humility, and ambition. Imane Mallah, in particular, was described by a childhood friend, Hajar El Khalfaoui, as someone who avoided parties and drinking. “When I graduated, Imane didn’t want me to go to a party because there would be drinking there,” El Khalfaoui recalled. “That was the kind of person she was.” Mallah’s mother, Zineb Elghilani, added that her daughter was always happy, smiley, and friendly. Similarly, Wafae and Kaoutar were described as respectful and driven individuals who were making positive contributions to their community. Their deaths have left a void in the lives of those who knew them, and their loved ones are struggling to reconcile the official narrative with the women they knew.

The Investigation: Conflicting Theories and Unanswered Questions

Belize police have suggested that the women may have overdosed, citing the presence of alcohol and gummies in their hotel room. However, they have not officially confirmed this as the cause of death, as they await the results of autopsies. The women’s bodies reportedly showed no signs of external injuries, but vomit was found near each of them. Authorities are also investigating whether carbon monoxide poisoning could have played a role in their deaths.

Despite these ongoing investigations, the women’s friends and family remain skeptical of the overdose theory. El Khalfaoui emphasized that attributing the deaths to an overdose unfairly paints the women in a negative light. “When you hear possible OD, automatically you attribute characteristics to that person, but that could be the farthest thing from the truth,” she said. Destiny Borges-Kelley, another friend, echoed this sentiment, stating, “They’re respectful, they wouldn’t do the stuff that people are saying they would.”

A Community in Mourning: Calls for Transparency and Justice

The deaths of Naqqad, Mallah, and El-Arar have sent shockwaves through the Revere community, where the women were well-known and beloved. At the vigil, friends, family, and neighbors gathered to pay their respects and demand answers. Many expressed frustration with what they perceive as a lack of cooperation from Belizean authorities. Revere City Councilor Ira Novoselsky, who was also Naqqad’s landlord, accused Belize officials of “stonewalling” the community. “We’re getting stonewalled,” he said. “Belize people are just saying their side of the story, but I’m sure there’s more to it.”

Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe Jr. has also weighed in on the issue, offering his condolences to the families and pledging to work with federal officials, including Senator Ed Markey and Whip Katherine Clark, to get more information. “These are daughters, friends, and contributors to our city, and I have heard widespread concern from the families and community members about the lack of transparency in this investigation,” Keefe said in a statement. The US State Department has also confirmed that it is monitoring the case and collaborating with local authorities.

A Legacy of Love and Loss: Remembering Three Bright Lives

As the investigation continues, the focus for many remains on celebrating the lives of Kaoutar, Imane, and Wafae. Their friends and family remember them as bright, kind, and ambitious young women who had their entire lives ahead of them. At the vigil, El Khalfaoui summed up the feelings of many when she said, “Wafae, Imane, and Kaoutar were some of the best people I’ve known. They were so loved and cherished in this community. It’s a tragedy; everybody has grown up with these girls. If you hear their names and you hear their story, please make a prayer for them.”

For now, the community continues to mourn the loss of three young women whose lives were cut short under mysterious circumstances. As they wait for answers, their loved ones are clinging to memories of their joy,