Sister of Ryan Hyde Says: “We’re Still in the Dark”

The family of Ryan Hyde says they are still searching for answers. 

Hyde was shot in the head on Friday night in Cotton Tree Village, Cayo, and later died at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City on Monday evening. His sister, Christie Cruz, told News 5, “To be honest, we as the family don’t know what transpired. We’re still in the dark. We’re still trying to figure out the pieces,” Cruz said. “Social media… they tend to know way more than the family, and that was one of the mediums that we found out he got shot.”

Hyde, originally from Roaring Creek but residing in Cotton Tree, was not at his home when the incident occurred. Cruz described the shock of learning about his condition and the heartbreak of losing him. “Just come yesterday, he was sitting up (in the hospital) and we thought that he was gonna go home today and then to find out that he passed away last night… it’s really gut-wrenching.”

Addressing rumours about possible motives, Cruz believes that her brother was unfairly judged because of his last name.  “With that last name, we’re just blatantly branded as bad… gun, drugs. We don’t have the ability to come from under that banner.” She added, “He has been vindicated; he has been targeted multiple times… just because of carrying that last name.” 

Despite public perception, Cruz described Hyde as a kind and joyful person. “He’s the baby of the bunch, and he was loved more than everyone else in the family…  Portrayed in the media, he’s a different person. But to his family, he’s loving, he’s kind.” Hyde was working on opening a meat shop and was the father of two boys.

The family is now awaiting the results of the police investigation and postmortem as they prepare to lay him to rest.