Canadian released after questioning in Belize
Person of interest detained after Toronto woman, American man found dead
A Canadian man detained by Belizean police in connection with the deaths of 52-year-old Canadian Francesca Matus and her American boyfriend has been released from custody.
Raphael Martinez, a spokesperson for police in the northern Belizean town of Corozal, said the Canadian is still a person of interest, however, and can be re-arrested at any time.
Under Belizean law, detainees held without charge must be released after 48 hours, Martinez said. In the Canadian man’s case, that window of time expired Thursday.
Martinez said police would not identify the Canadian, confirm his age or clarify whether he lives in Belize unless charges are laid.
Police in Corozal have detained “several people” who are being questioned but are not officially considered suspects, Martinez said. He could not say how many people had been detained or how many detainees had been released.
Those being detained may have known the couple or seen them recently before they went missing, he said, later adding that “people are being brought in on a daily basis” for questioning.
Global Affairs Canada was “aware that a Canadian citizen is in police custody in Belize,” spokesperson Austin Jean said in an email Thursday afternoon.
“Consular officials are assisting the family of the detained Canadian and remain in regular contact with local authorities to gather additional information,” Jean wrote, adding that no further information will be released “to protect the privacy of the individual.”
Police found the bodies of Matus and 36-year-old Drew DeVoursney in a sugar cane field Monday. The couple disappeared after leaving a Corozal bar on April 25.
DeVoursney’s body was found on top of Matus’s with their wrists ducttaped after having been strangled to death, according to police.