Police Probe Death of Canadian Man Found Aboard Drifting Catamaran in Belize Waters

Police have launched an investigation into the death of Thomas David Harman, a 71-year-old resident of Vancouver, Canada, whose body was discovered aboard a drifting catamaran earlier this week in Belize’s territorial waters.  Police say the case has taken on added significance after injuries were observed on Harman’s body. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith confirmed that investigators are treating the circumstances surrounding the death with caution.  She also noted that the woman who was onboard has been located.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “On Wednesday 11th March, 2026 police were advised by the Belize Rescue Team that they were escorting a catamaran namely Melinda that was found drifting some sixty miles off the coast of Belize. The person from the Belize Rescue Team also advised police that onboard that vessel was the body of a male person. The investigators as well as the scenes of crime technician awaited the arrival of the vessel and upon boarding it they confirmed that in fact a deceased person who was later identified to be Thomas David Harmon, a 72 year old of British Colombia Canada was discovered. The scene was processed by scenes of crime technicians and the body now awaits a post mortem examination. We have received indication as to the female that was onboard. What I can say is that she is reported to have been rescued by a cruise ship that was in the area and her identify has been known and she would have communicated with a relative of the deceased Mr.Harmon about the incident. The indication is that she was intercepted on the high seas and yes there is interest on the department’s part to record a statement from the female. It is an ongoing investigation. We are awaiting the results of the post mortem to make a determination in that regard.”

Reporter: How has the police categorized this investigation ? 

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “It’s a death investigation.”

Harman’s body has been transported to Belize City where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.  As previously reported, the vessel was located approximately twenty-four nautical miles northeast of Turneffe Atoll after authorities were alerted to a distress situation at sea. A female passenger was rescued by the cruise ship MSC Divina, while Harman remained on the vessel and was later found deceased. The catamaran was subsequently escorted into waters near Caye Caulker before being secured by authorities for further investigation./