Authorities in Belize have arrested a local construction worker in connection with the murder of a Canadian woman. Gain Eldred Waigth, 25, from the Cayo District, has been charged with the stabbing death of 65-year-old Marty Ann Thorne. Thorne was discovered dead on her property on November 9.

Investigators suspect that the murder was the result of a robbery gone wrong. Thorne, a masseuse, divided her time between Belize and Vancouver. She had lived in Belize for many years and owned the Raw Spa Cabanas in Bullet Tree Village, located near the Guatemalan border.

Local police have been slow to release details about the investigation. Reports indicate that Thorne, a mother of two grown sons, was well-liked in the community. Despite her popularity, Belize has a high rate of violent crime.

According to Global Affairs, Belize has one of the highest per-capita murder rates globally. The agency warns that drug trafficking, organized crime, and gang activity are prevalent. Violent crimes, including murders, armed robberies, and assaults, occur frequently. The agency also cautions against going out after dark, especially in border areas like Bullet Tree Village, which has a population of about 2,124.

Residents of Bullet Tree Village expressed shock over Thorne's murder. "I knew Ms. Thorne. We are like family... I never believed what happened to her. I was really sad," said neighbor Michael Waight. He added, "As I see the blood, I was already thinking that this is something not good... I never have seen something like this. My first time. Very scary."

Thorne's murder is not an isolated incident. Several Canadians have been killed in Belize in recent years, including Francesca Matus, a semi-retired realtor, who was found dead in May 2017 alongside her American boyfriend. Their case remains unsolved.

Waight described Thorne as a kind person, stating, "She never had any kind of enemy. I never saw her with enemies. She was a very friendly person, a very good person, like family."

Investigators are continuing to gather information as the case progresses.