Investigation Underway into Death of Canadian Man Found on Drifting Catamaran

Thomas David Harmon, a 72-year-old man from British Columbia, Canada, was found dead aboard a drifting catamaran named Melinda, approximately 60 miles off the coast of Belize. His body was discovered on March 11, 2026, after the Belize Coast Guard received a distress signal regarding the vessel. Earlier, a woman aboard the same boat was rescued by the cruise ship MSC Divina and reported to be in a state of distress. The woman’s identity has not been disclosed, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.

The IndependentElderly Canadian Found Dead on Drifting CatamaranCanadian man found dead in drifting catamaran near Belize coast - Here's why police are investigating the boat as a possible crime scene

The catamaran had reportedly departed from Livingston, Guatemala, about a week prior to the discovery of Harmon’s body. The Belize Police Department has classified the boat as a potential crime scene due to visible stab wounds on Harmon’s body and signs of mild decomposition. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

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Francis Usher, CEO of the Belize Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, stated, “There are apparent wounds on the body of the father and the female was in distress and boarded the cruise ship. So, just to have further details onto what exactly happened, I think further investigation is necessary.” He emphasized that the Coast Guard would secure the vessel for the duration of the police investigation, which is primarily a law enforcement operation.

Canadian man found dead in drifting catamaran near Belize coast - Here's why police are investigating the boat as a possible crime sceneThe IndependentElderly Canadian Found Dead on Drifting Catamaran

While the investigation is active, there are concerns regarding the handling of the situation, particularly the delay in locating the drifting vessel, which was initially outside Belize’s jurisdiction. Critics have pointed out the need for improved coordination between maritime authorities in Belize and neighboring countries to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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There are discrepancies regarding the timeline of events leading up to the discovery of Harmon’s body. Some reports indicate that a distress signal was sent to Honduran authorities before the boat drifted into Belizean waters, while others suggest that the vessel was already within Belize's jurisdiction when the distress call was made. Additionally, the exact circumstances surrounding the woman’s rescue and her relationship to Harmon remain unclear.

The Independent

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of Harmon’s death, focusing on the events that transpired aboard the Melinda. The Belize Police Department is conducting interviews with family members and examining evidence from the scene to piece together the timeline of events leading to this tragic incident. Harmon’s son has arrived in Belize to assist with the investigation and make arrangements for his father's remains to be returned to Canada.

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