BURRELL BOOM, Belize District Wed. Dec. 14, 2016–An unknown female of Creole descent, believed to be 30 to 35 years old, was found dead at about 10:30 this morning in the Belize River about 3 miles downstream from the Burrell Boom Bridge.
A man who was in a boat saw the corpse and quickly called police.
ACP Edward Broaster, Commander of Eastern Division Rural police, said that police were dispatched to an area behind the Los Lagos community on the Belize River and saw the body of a dark-complexioned female about 5 feet 5 inches tall. The body had several cut wounds, including to the back and head.
The body was taken to a medical school at the Burrell Boom junction, where a post-mortem examination was conducted.
At the conclusion of the autopsy, conducted by Doctor Mario Estradabran and his team, Dr. Estradabran certified the cause of death of the woman to be “traumatic cranium insophalic injuries due to chop wound.” The body could not be identified due to the advanced state, of decomposition.
After the autopsy was concluded, the unidentified woman was taken to Lords Bank Cemetery, where she was buried at about 8:00 tonight.
Commander Broaster said that when they saw the body, the straps of a knapsack were wrapped around her leg in a way which made him believe that she was spun around several times by a crocodile. Also, one of the hands of the corpse was missing.
He said that police searched the area to find the hand, but the effort was in vain.
A dark blue blouse was tied around the woman’s head, and a pair of blue jeans pants was on her lower body.
There was a tattoo of a rose with the letters “MICH” on her right breast.
During a press brief this afternoon held at the Ladyville Police Station, conducted by ACP Broaster and ASP Cocom, Commander Broaster showed us some photographs of the unknown woman to show the shape of the cut wounds on her back and her head, which allowed him to conclude that the wounds were caused by a crocodile.
He is seeking public assistance in identifying the body. In giving further details, Broaster said that an animal figure was tattooed on the left leg of the woman and a rose on her ankle, and her hair was in an afro style.
Broaster said that there are reports that a woman who is homeless was last seen Sunday walking in front of Ready Call on the Boom Hattieville Road, from the Philip Goldson Highway towards Burrell Boom.
The Commander said that no report of a missing woman with that description has been made to the Belize Rural police.
An investigation has begun to ascertain the identity of the corpse. Anyone who believes that they know the woman is urged to contact ACP Broaster or the Ladyville Police Station.