Families of 3 US Women Found Dead at Belize Resort File $100M Lawsuit

Lawsuit alleges hotel failed to address carbon monoxide warnings before deadly incident.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:15am

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The families of three young Massachusetts women who were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning at a Belize beach resort in 2025 have filed a $100 million lawsuit against the hotel and the travel agency that booked their stay. The lawsuit claims the resort ignored previous warnings about high carbon monoxide levels and failed to install a working detector, leading to the women's tragic deaths.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of hotel safety standards and the responsibility of travel companies to ensure the wellbeing of their customers. It also raises questions about accountability when preventable tragedies occur abroad, especially when American consumers are involved.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Wafae El-Arar, 26, Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, and Imane Mallah, 24, were found dead in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in Belize on February 22, 2025. A post-mortem investigation determined they died from acute pulmonary edema caused by extreme carbon monoxide exposure. The lawsuit alleges the resort was aware of previous guest complaints about high CO levels and exposure symptoms, but failed to address the issue or install a working detector. It also claims the water heater responsible for the leak was defectively produced and shoddily installed by unqualified workers.

  • The three women were found dead in their hotel room on February 22, 2025.
  • The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, nearly a year after the incident.

The players

Wafae El-Arar

One of the three young Massachusetts women found dead at the Belize resort.

Kaoutar Naqqad

One of the three young Massachusetts women found dead at the Belize resort.

Imane Mallah

One of the three young Massachusetts women found dead at the Belize resort.

Royal Kahal Beach Resort

The Belize hotel where the three women were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Expedia

The travel booking site the women used to plan their Belize getaway.

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What they’re saying

“This was not an unavoidable accident. It was the foreseeable result of decisions that put safety last and a bottom line first, and our legal system exists to hold those responsible to account.”

— Thomas Scolaro, Attorney for the women's families (Boston.com)

“This case will test whether companies that profit from American consumers can be held to account when preventable tragedies occur, or whether they can avoid responsibility by hiding behind borders and technicalities.”

— Thomas Scolaro, Attorney for the women's families (Boston.com)

“Our daughters and sisters left for vacation and never came home. The disbelief has not faded, and neither has the pain.”

— Families of the three women (Boston.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the $100 million lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the importance of hotel safety standards and the responsibility of travel companies to ensure the wellbeing of their customers, especially when American consumers are involved in incidents abroad. It will test whether companies can be held accountable for preventable tragedies or if they can avoid responsibility through legal technicalities.