It’s been just over a week since the family of Selvin Sealy received the devastating news; he had died shortly after being arrested in San Pedro. Their worst fears were confirmed when police ruled his death a homicide and suspended the officers involved. A post-mortem revealed that Sealy died from restraint asphyxia, meaning he couldn’t breathe properly while being held down during the arrest. Now, the family’s grief has turned into a call for justice. We spoke with Sealy’s sister, Victoria Sealy, who, despite her heartbreak, is urging Belizeans to stay strong and united as the family pushes for answers and accountability.
Victoria Sealy, Sister of Deceased
“Recently, my brother passed away, unfortunately. I just want to give encouragement to Belize, the country. Tomorrow is never promised and it’s hard, but I just want to give encouragement in this time of hardship that, like I said, tomorrow isn’t promised, and just live every day loving your family and true happiness and true assurance of where you’re going after that is found in Jesus Christ. And that’s all I would like to share with the country of Belize.”
Tonight, the Belize Police Department is taking a closer look at two conflicting High Court rulings on the 2020 state of emergency. Justice Nadine Nabie recently ruled on one case, but referenced another decision handed down just two weeks earlier, where a different judge upheld the SOE as lawful, citing a deadly spike in violence on the southside. With the entire southside once again under a state of emergency, police say they’re reviewing the legal implications of both rulings. ASP Stacy Smith confirmed that meetings are already underway, and that the department has scheduled talks with the Attorney General to chart the way forward.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“That is one of two rulings that were recently passed regarding the state of emergency. We are meeting to discuss, and we have certainly booked meeting with the attorney general in light of this new development.
We’ll continue to monitor how these legal decisions could shape the powers being exercised under the current SOE, and whether talks about extending it to six months will move ahead.
Police have made a breakthrough in the murder case of sixty-one-year-old Carlos Avelar, a mason from Belize City whose shocking death earlier this month left the community in mourning. Avelar was gunned down on the night of May first while walking along Coney Drive. Witnesses say two men on a motorcycle pulled up around 8:15 p.m. and opened fire, hitting him multiple times before speeding off. The brutal attack sparked outrage and calls for justice. Now, police have arrested twenty-two-year-old Jamal Brackett in connection with the killing. Authorities say they are still searching for a second suspect. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared that the investigation is ongoing, and more updates will follow as the case develops.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“As it relates to the murder of Carlos Avelar, that on occurred on first of May, 2025, police formerly arrested and charged Jamal Brackett. A twenty-two year Belizean of Mayflower Street with the crime of murder. Police are also seeking a second individual in relation to this investigation.”
Britney Gordon
“Have police been able to determine a motive for the murder?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“No motive has been ascertained so far. However, the information that has been gathered thus far has been sufficient to warrant. An arrest. It is believed that as the investigation continues to unfold, a motive will be made known. The investigation that was conducted led police to the arrest of that individual and to. The seeking of the other individual.”
A Belize City man is behind bars tonight, charged in connection with a deadly Labor Day shooting. Twenty-two-year-old Jamal Brackett, a construction worker from Mayflower Street, has been arraigned for the murder of sixty-one-year-old Carlos Enriquez Avelar. Brackett appeared in court this morning, unrepresented, and was read a single charge of murder. Due to the seriousness of the offense, no plea was taken, and bail was denied. He’s been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until August eighteenth. Police say the fatal shooting happened just after eight p.m. on May first, along Coney Drive. Avelar was reportedly walking near the corner of Coney Drive and Sunrise Avenue when two men on a motorcycle approached. One of them opened fire, hitting Avelar multiple times before fleeing the scene. He was rushed to K.H.M.H. but was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigators recovered expended shells and blood swabs from the scene, and the case is now in the hands of the courts.
A post-mortem has confirmed that thirty-year-old Selvin Sealy, who was arrested last week for trespassing, died from restraint asphyxia—a condition where a person suffocates because their body position during restraint prevents them from breathing properly. Police say Sealy was subdued after resisting arrest. While in custody, officers noticed he had become unresponsive and rushed him to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was pronounced dead. His death has since been ruled a homicide. The officers involved have been suspended following an order from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith says the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released soon.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“As it relates to an update for the Selvin Sealy homicide, he post-mortem was conducted on Friday whereby the results of that examination concluded that because of date was restrained asphyxia. As it relates to police’s action, the DPP has directed that statement, a statement be recorded from the pathologist and that will determine the next course of actions. Similarly, the police department has been doing their parallel investigation, which included the immediate suspension of the persons who are suspected to be a part of this incident.”
Britney Gordon
“So now that you know more details have come to light regarding the incident, can we have a clear timeline of the incident from when Sealy was arrested to his death- what occurred in between that time?”
Stacy Smith
“As the investigation continues, we will disclose more information as it becomes necessary to disclose.”
This concerning update has fueled Sealy’s grieving family’s demands for accountability and justice.
Tonight, growing outrage and heartbreak in San Pedro, as the death of thirty-two-year-old tour guide Selvin Sealy Jr. while in police custody has officially been ruled a homicide. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Sealy died from restraint asphyxia—intensifying calls for justice and accountability. Sealy, a well-known resident of the DFC area, was detained by police on the morning of Monday, May twelfth, after reportedly behaving erratically near Villa Abrazos. According to police, he had climbed a tree, claiming he was being chased by a dog. Officers say they subdued him when he refused to come down—but shortly after, they realized he was unresponsive. He was rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was pronounced dead. Now, with the cause of death confirmed, Sealy’s grieving family is demanding answers.
Selvin Sealy Sr.
Selvin Sealy Sr., Father of Deceased (File: May 13th, 2025)
“I’m heartbroken about my son and I don’t wish this on anyone, it’s a really rough feeling. Even right now, I get emotional. The call came to my house about 7:30, somewhere around there, about 7:30, I was getting ready to go out and then I heard that my son was critical at the polyclinic in San Pedro. So I got the news and I got ready and I went there directly. In all the chaos, and all the situation, I saw my son lying dead on the table and it was a really heartfelt emotion for me. They told me that, someone at the police department, that he was at some, I think it’s like a private house, rental, pool, swimming [when] the security called the police to come and see. I don’t know what transpired from there. They do have videos which I would like to see and get for my personal satisfaction. But after that, in between, something happened when the police picked him up or so. That part, I would really like a clarification. And then they took him, it seems [like] because I heard [that] they were talking about they had him in a handcuff. They took him to the station and so forth. He was well in the morning because my other son saw him at 6:30, passing by the boats on the beach. It’s a human being, like everyone else. Somebody dies, your children somebody dies, you want justice because no matter how the person is… if he had committed a crime or something it’s different. I just want justice. I’m not pinpointing fingers, but my son died.”
In a groundbreaking step toward digital transformation, the Government of Belize has officially launched the new Online Criminal Records Registry—better known as the CRR system—ushering in a new era of convenience, transparency, and efficiency for the public. This forward-thinking initiative is the result of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, with strong support from the Ministry of E-Governance. At the launch event, Minister Kareem Musa highlighted the CRR as a key milestone in the government’s broader mission to modernize the justice system and improve access to public services through digital innovation. So, what does this mean for you? The new CRR system allows citizens to apply for Police Records of Conduct entirely online—from application to payment, and even delivery. That means no more long lines, no more repeated trips to government offices. And for added convenience, users will receive real-time updates via SMS or email, ensuring full transparency every step of the way. But that’s not all. While the system is built for full online access, those who prefer in-person services can still apply and collect their records at designated locations. This digital leap forward is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, and make public services more accessible to all Belizeans. A modern justice system for a modern Belize—powered by technology, driven by progress.
Two southside men have been formally charged in connection with the brazen murder of a San Pedro fisherman. The victim, twenty-six-year-old Zinedine Pinelo, was gunned down last Friday and now, two suspects are behind bars, facing the most serious of charges. Twenty-eight-year-old Dashay Williams of Neal’s Penn Road and nineteen-year-old Kaylen McFoy of Hunters Lane were arraigned earlier today, jointly charged with Pinelo’s murder. The courtroom saw tense moments as Williams, who had been detained under the recent State of Emergency, told the magistrate he’s been suffering from a lodged bullet wound and has not received medical care. The Senior Magistrate ordered that Williams be taken to the K.H.M.H. for immediate medical attention before being remanded to the Belize Central Prison—where both men will remain until their next court date on July second. It’s a case that’s drawing attention not only for the crime itself, but for the conditions under which one of the accused claims he’s being held.
The call for fair compensation is growing louder and this time, it’s coming from within the ranks of law enforcement. The Belize Police Association is reportedly pushing for a salary increase for police officers, joining a growing chorus of public sector workers demanding better pay. The timing is no coincidence. With three major unions already pressing the Government of Belize for wage adjustments, the police association is now voicing its frustration, particularly over the recent salary increases granted to government CEOs, while officers on the front lines remain overlooked. According to reports, the association has written to the Commissioner of Police, Doctor Richard Rosado, outlining their concerns and calling for action. When asked about the letter on Wednesday, ComPol Rosado said it had not yet reached his desk, but emphasized that his office maintains an open line of communication with the association and is committed to ongoing dialogue.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“I released my strategic plan to the rank and file the police department last week. My agenda is reforming, refocusing and rebuilding the police department. Critical to those would be the modernization, accountability and welfare. I met with the police association on Monday to discuss challenges and how we can work hand in hand in ensuring that they fulfill their legal obligation as per the police act. They are charged with the welfare and efficiency of their officers. So, we discussed many things in terms of improving the efficiency of officers and addressing the welfare of the officers. They have committed to work hand and hand with us, with the high command of the police department. We even agreed to meet on a monthly basis to discuss welfare issues of the police department.”
As the pressure mounts, the question remains: will the government respond to the growing demands for equity across the public service? We’ll continue to follow this developing story and bring you updates as they unfold.
The following story raises questions about trust and responsibility within the public service. A Belize City postal clerk is out on bail tonight after being charged with a rare and serious offense—opening a postal packet, allegedly in breach of his official duties. Forty-one-year-old Tyrone Davis, a resident of the Lake Independence area, was arraigned this morning before a Senior Magistrate. Davis, who was brought to court from prison, faced a single charge: opening a postal packet contrary to his duty as a post office employee. The charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred between April twenty-eighth and May thirteenth of this year. According to the allegations, Davis opened a postal packet addressed to Mercy Cervantes, an act that, if proven, would be a clear violation of postal regulations and public trust. Davis, who appeared unrepresented, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution did not object to bail but requested conditions be attached. The Senior Magistrate granted bail in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, plus one surety of the same amount. As part of his bail conditions, Davis must stay at least one hundred feet away from the complainant and avoid contact with any prosecution witnesses, many of whom are believed to be his colleagues at the Belize Post Office. The court also noted that his future employment status may depend on internal disciplinary proceedings. Davis was able to meet bail by midday. His next court appearance is scheduled for July fifteenth.
