Carbon monoxide from faulty water heater kills three women in Beilze

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC - The families of three women, whose bodies were found at a hotel last month, died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning, likely due to a faulty instant water heater.

Police said that the women, Kaoutar Naqqad 23, Imane Mallah 24, and Wafae El-Arar 26, were born in Morocco but held United States citizenship. They had checked in to the hotel on February 19.

In a statement, the families said that officials from the US Embassy here had informed them that their loved ones died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning, likely due to a faulty instant water heater.

"While we remain shattered by the loss of these three bright lights in our world, we are incredibly heartened by the results of this investigation and grateful to those who completed it in a thorough and independent manner.

"May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae," their families said in the statement

The families, who have strongly opposed the idea that their loved ones had died from a drug overdose, said they are urging Belizean authorities to continue their investigation and that they are also awaiting the results of a separate independent review being conducted by Massachusetts authorities.

"We have said since the beginning of this investigation that their deaths were suspicious and raised concerns about initial reports in the news media," the families said in the statement, noting that while the "official finding puts to rest those initial reports, we hope this will give authorities in law enforcement pause before they make similar suggestions during future investigations.

"Survivors such as our families deserve their best, honest work. We received it today but needed it throughout this investigative process," according to the statement in which the families thanked local and international media, as well as Massachusetts, United States and Belize leaders "who continued to put pressure on Belizean authorities to complete this investigation in a timely and honest manner".

At the time of their deaths, the police said they found no signs of forced entry or injuries on the women. Surveillance footage confirmed they entered the resort and were not seen to exit the suite after that.

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