Autopsy Finds Canadian Man on Drifting Catamaran Died After Fall, Police Say

Police say they have made significant progress in their investigation into the death of Canadian national Thomas David Harman, whose body was discovered last week aboard a drifting catamaran in Belize’s territorial waters.  Authorities confirmed today that a post-mortem examination has now been completed, bringing greater clarity to the circumstances surrounding the case. The examination determined that Harman died after falling on the vessel, ruling out earlier concerns that his injuries may have been the result of foul play.  During today’s police press briefing, Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the findings of the autopsy and explained that investigators have been working closely with forensic personnel since the body was recovered. 

ASP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department: “On Friday, 26 March, the body of Mr. Harmon underwent an autopsy examination where at the conclusion the finding was that he died as a consequence of multiple blunt force traumatic injuries due to a fall from height. As stated, the conclusion of the pathologist is that he fell from a height and the circumstance are such that he was on board a boat. So I don’t know if it is that the assumption would be somebody would have been up on the sail with him because that is the suggestion that has been given. However, as I would have indicated on the last occasion, this is not a matter that falls within Belize’s jurisdiction. Nonetheless, we have done our due diligence in terms of securing and processing the scene obtaining relevant evidential material should the persons who have jurisdiction which would be the flagship or the country for which Mr. Harmon is a national that we are able to competently provide them with that information for them to carry further investigation if they believe that foul play is involved.”

The case first came to light on Thursday, March 12 when authorities were alerted to a catamaran named Melinda drifting at sea with Harman’s body on board. At the time, police reported that a female passenger who had been traveling with Harman had been rescued by a passing cruise ship after the vessel experienced difficulties. Harman, a resident of Vancouver, Canada, was found deceased aboard the vessel when it was intercepted and escorted back toward Belize. The body was later transported to Belize City for the post-mortem examination./