Families of three young women from Massachusetts, tragically found dead due to carbon monoxide poisoning in a Belize hotel last year, have filed a lawsuit claiming the resort ignored warning signs from previous guests and neglected to install functioning detectors.
Wafae El Aral, 26, Kautal Nakkad, 23, and Imane Mara, 24, were discovered unresponsive in their room at the Royal Cahal Beach Resort on February 22, 2025. Investigations revealed that a significant failure in safety systems led to their exposure to this highly toxic, colorless gas.
A toxicology report indicated that, while no drugs were present in their bodies, the women had developed acute pulmonary edema—a condition that can arise from severe carbon monoxide exposure.
The grieving families are seeking $100 million in damages through a federal lawsuit in Boston, arguing that the women had no way of being aware of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide due to its lack of smell or color.
The complaint notes, “They are believed to have been overwhelmed by the toxic gas and died during the night… suffering excruciating pain of consciousness and undoubtedly knowing they were dying.”
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the women utilized Expedia to book their trip and were subsequently targeted with advertisements encouraging them to reserve at the Royal Cahal Resort.
Previous visitors had raised alarms about high carbon monoxide levels and shared their experiences in reviews on Expedia, as stated in the complaint.
The suit also points fingers at Navien, the water heater manufacturer linked to the lethal leak, alleging that they produced defective equipment and that the hotel opted for cheap installations done by unqualified workers.
“This was not an inevitable accident,” stated Thomas Scolaro, the lawyer representing the families. “This is the foreseeable result of a decision that put safety last and profit first. Our legal system exists to hold those responsible accountable.”
Scolaro emphasized, “This case raises the question of whether companies benefiting from American consumers can truly be held accountable for preventable tragedies, or if they can shield themselves from liability behind borders and technicalities.”
Almost a year after their loss, the families expressed that they are still struggling to come to terms with the situation. “Our daughter and sister went on vacation and never returned,” they stated in a joint remark following the lawsuit announcement. “The disbelief hasn’t faded, and the pain remains.”
