Parents of backpacker missing in Guatemala plead for her return
THE family of a British backpacker missing in Guatemala say they have grown “desperately worried” as they described her disappearance as “unusual behaviour”.
Catherine Shaw, 23, from Witney, Oxfordshire, had been staying at a hotel with a friend when she was reported missing on Tuesday March 5.
According to the Lucie Blackman Trust, which is supporting the family, Ms Shaw was last known to be in the San Pedro area. She had been travelling in Guatemala for two weeks after previously visiting Mexico and California.
Her parents, Ann and Tarquin, said her disappearance was of “great concern”. They said: “She has always been really good about keeping in touch and informing us of her whereabouts and activities. So this is unusual behaviour which gives us great concern for her safety. Please help us to find her.”
In a video on Twitter, Ms Shaw’s mother urged her to get in touch, while her father added: “Your friends, your family are all really worried about you, please come home sweetheart.”
Mr Shaw is understood to have travelled to Guatemala to join the search.
The Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting Ms Shaw’s family and were “in contact with the local authorities”.
Ms Shaw’s friends launched a social media appeal for help towards finding the 23-year-old, believed to be without money, her passport and phone.
Local media reported officers from the country’s National Civil Police were sent to the Eco-hotel Mayachik in San Pedro where it was confirmed her belongings had been left inside her room apart from a musical instrument.