Marine Veteran & His Girlfriend Found Horrifically Murdered In Belize

Living in a tropical paradise always sounds like #LifeGoals – until you hear stories like this.

A foreign couple was just found strangled and murdered in Belize, weeks after they were first reported missing.

Drew DeVoursney was 36-years old, a Marine Corp veteran who served two tours overseas in the aftermath of 9/11. His girlfriend was Francesca Matus, a Canadian national.

Drew was living in a somewhat remote area of Belize. Francesca was staying with him, but she was planning on leaving the country the day after they went missing.

They were last seen the night before her flight, hanging out in a local bar. They were reported missing very quickly, as one of the couple’s friends was due to pick up Francesca the next morning.

The search went on for over two weeks, with both locals and ex-pats in the area assisting. But the bodies of the couple were only just found, in serious states of decomposition.

Both Drew and Francesca appear to have been strangled, and they were found with their hands bound with duct tape. The US Embassy has informed both their families that it was definitely murder.

Two men have been detained by authorities since the bodies were found. The only one identified is another Canadian who was apparently close friends with Francesca, but he's vehemently denying the charges. 

While the area Drew lived in boasts a low murder rate, foreigners are warned that most violent crimes against ex-pats happen in the country’s rural areas.

Drew’s family has flown down to retrieve his body and talk with authorities. Francesca’s family hasn’t spoken to the press about the incident, but remember her on Facebook, saying, “Her smile was infectious and could light up a room. She had such a zest for life and will be deeply missed.”

Just be safe out there, guys.