MAPP CAYE, Belize District, Mon. Jan. 14, 2019– A man’s body, already in an advanced state of decomposition, was found on Mapp Caye, which is about 2 miles northeast of Belize City, around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12.

The body, which is presumed to be that of the watchman of the caye, was found in a latrine with a suspected gunshot wound in the back of the head. Two men who were with the watchman are still missing tonight.

The police and the Coast Guard became aware of this situation after family members of the owner of the caye, Evan Neal, age unknown, became concerned when he did not return to Belize City, since the last time they heard from him, which was on Friday, January 11.

The other missing man has not been identified as yet, but police say he was another of Neal’s workers at the caye.
Two small vessels are also missing, presumably stolen.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Alejandro Cowo, mentioned that there were other incidents which occurred on other cayes near Mapp Caye that could be related to this latest incident. He mentioned an incident that occurred about 2 months ago, when two men were injured with fishing rods.

He also spoke of another incident about three weeks ago that involved a man and a woman, but he did not give details of the incident. These past two incidents were suspected to be drug-related, he said.