A woman from Vancouver was discovered deceased at a spa in Belize on Monday morning following a stabbing incident, as confirmed by local law enforcement. The body of Marty Thorne was found just before 8 a.m. local time at RawSpa, a resort situated near Bullet Tree Village. RawSpa is located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Belize City and 37 kilometers southwest of Belmopan, the capital of Belize.
According to a spokesperson from the Belize Police Department, a caretaker reported finding blood at a cabana within the RawSpa premises, leading police to find Thorne’s body approximately 50 meters away close to a river on the property. One suspect is currently in custody in connection with the case, while authorities are actively seeking two additional suspects.
It is believed by officials that Thorne may have been acquainted with the suspects, and only her cellphone was reported missing. The exact reason and cause of her death have not been disclosed pending the results of an autopsy. Thorne had been residing in Belize since her youth but had returned to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, only to go back to Belize around six weeks prior to the incident.
Authorities have informed Thorne’s two sons, who reside in Vancouver. The father of the sons is stated to be Belizean. One of Thorne’s sons responded to a CBC News journalist on Facebook, expressing shock and mentioning that he would consult with family members before agreeing to an interview.
Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged the passing of a Canadian citizen in Belize and conveyed condolences to the family. The department mentioned that consular officials are liaising with local authorities for further details and providing assistance to the family. Due to privacy concerns, no additional information is currently available.
