The discovery of human remains and belongings has led authorities to suspect the identity of a missing US birdwatcher who vanished during a trip to Guatemala’s Tikal National Park. The case underscores ongoing issues regarding safety and the risks faced by tourists in the region.
Remains of Missing US Birdwatcher Found in Guatemalan Jungle
Remains of Missing US Birdwatcher Found in Guatemalan Jungle
Human remains discovered in Guatemala are believed to belong to a US birdwatcher missing since February 2023, further raising concerns about safety in popular tourist areas.
Human remains found in the Guatemalan jungle are believed to belong to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, a US birdwatcher reported missing since February 2023. Local officials confirmed that clothes, including a lilac shirt, sandals, and shorts matching those Ashcroft was last seen wearing, were found at the same location as the bones, roughly 14 kilometers from the renowned Tikal archaeological site.
At 66, Ashcroft was part of a guided birdwatching group exploring the ancient Maya city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, when he disappeared. According to reports, Ashcroft informed his wife that he would head back to their hotel but never arrived. Concerned, she reported him missing after realizing he had not returned.
In the aftermath, search parties immediately mobilized but found no trace of Ashcroft. Interpol issued a yellow notice weeks later, seeking assistance to locate him, but despite media appeals, no information was forthcoming. It was not until residents of a nearby village discovered the bones and clothing in dense vegetation that authorities were alerted again. Carlos Soza from the Guatemalan Attorney-General's Office for Crimes Against Foreign Tourists announced efforts to confirm the identity of the remains through DNA testing.
This incident raises alarm regarding the safety of tourists in Tikal National Park, where other visitors have also gone missing under similar circumstances. In recent years, there have been reports of tourists encountering dangerous situations, further emphasizing the need for improved safety measures in popular tourist destinations.
At 66, Ashcroft was part of a guided birdwatching group exploring the ancient Maya city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, when he disappeared. According to reports, Ashcroft informed his wife that he would head back to their hotel but never arrived. Concerned, she reported him missing after realizing he had not returned.
In the aftermath, search parties immediately mobilized but found no trace of Ashcroft. Interpol issued a yellow notice weeks later, seeking assistance to locate him, but despite media appeals, no information was forthcoming. It was not until residents of a nearby village discovered the bones and clothing in dense vegetation that authorities were alerted again. Carlos Soza from the Guatemalan Attorney-General's Office for Crimes Against Foreign Tourists announced efforts to confirm the identity of the remains through DNA testing.
This incident raises alarm regarding the safety of tourists in Tikal National Park, where other visitors have also gone missing under similar circumstances. In recent years, there have been reports of tourists encountering dangerous situations, further emphasizing the need for improved safety measures in popular tourist destinations.
