American tourists dead at Belize Royal Kahal Beach Resort hotel cause of death

The three young American women found dead at a Belize beach resort last month died from “fatal exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning,” according to a new toxicology report.

Kaoutar Naqqad, 23; Imane Mallah, 24; and Wafae El-Arar, 26 — all from Revere, Mass. — were found dead inside their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Feb. 22.

A toxicology report from Belize’s National Forensic Service shows that the girls had a build-up of fluid in the lungs known as acute pulmonary edema, which was triggered by the carbon monoxide exposure, WCVB reported. 

The American tourists were all exposed to carbon monoxide before their deaths, and each registered carbon monoxide saturation levels of around 60% — with a fatal level being 40%, the report said.

Police believe the girls may have been exposed to carbon monoxide from a faulty water heater in their hotel room.

Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said their bodies showed no signs of injury, but there was vomit next to each of them. 

While authorities found alcohol and gummies in their hotel room, toxicology tests revealed no drugs in their bodies.

The grieving women’s families thanked authorities for reexamining the case and dismissing initial claims that drugs were to blame.

“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,” they said in a statement Wednesday.

“While today’s official finding puts to rest those initial [drug] 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.

“Our families and others who may have been harmed at this hotel deserve a full accounting of what happened, how this investigation was handled by officials and hotel management.

“We are grateful to all of the friends, family, leaders here in Massachusetts, in the United States and in Belize along with the local and international media, who continued to put pressure on Belizean authorities to complete this investigation in a timely and honest manner.

“Our families ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this unimaginable loss. May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae.”

A separate review of the cause of death of the three women is set to be done by authorities in Massachusetts.