A shocking incident unfolded at a luxury resort in Belize, grabbing the attention of the international community. Reports from local media detailed the tragic murder of a Colorado real estate developer. Boris Mannsfeld, aged 56, was discovered lifeless at Cocoplum Villas in Maya Beach, with a single gunshot wound to the back of his neck. According to Breaking Belize News, the scene revealed a loaded 9mm pistol in close proximity, along with a bullet shell casing and the victim’s wallet containing cash and identification.
The luxurious villas where the unfortunate event occurred were one of the development projects spearheaded by the victim, as confirmed by his company’s website. The body of Mannsfeld was found by law enforcement personnel around 9 p.m. local time, as reported by 7 News Belize, which also mentioned the absence of any available surveillance footage.
Having relocated to Belize from the United States in 2006, following his admiration for Placencia since his initial visit in 1992, Mannsfeld established Boris Mannsfeld & Associates Belize Real Estate in 2010. Describing his journey, the victim’s biography on the company’s website highlights his enduring passion for real estate development, with the Villas at Cocoplum being a standout project celebrated as a premier condo community on the Placencia peninsula and a coveted address in Belize.
Reports from Channel 5 Belize shed light on Mannsfeld’s involvement in various high-profile legal disputes, in which he had accused multiple individuals of fraudulent activities. A letter addressed to clients in January 2025 detailed his encounter with a substantial fraud case spanning multiple countries, encompassing offenses such as money laundering, wire fraud, mail fraud, counterfeit passports, and substantial financial losses. Mentioned in the communication was a contentious lawsuit amounting to $3.9 million against a former business partner.
The untimely demise of Mannsfeld follows the tragic deaths of two of his former associates – Ricardo Borja in September 2023 and Darren Taylor in April 2024 – both of which remain unsolved mysteries. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, addressed the media in a news conference, revealing that investigations are underway to scrutinize the victim’s business dealings with others, aiming to uncover a possible motive and potential suspects. Williams hinted at the possibility of a calculated hit behind Mannsfeld’s murder, indicating a likely connection to the preceding deaths of Borja and Taylor.
The Belize Police Department and Cocoplum Villas have yet to provide additional information when approached by PEOPLE for further details. Stay informed with the latest developments in crime news by signing up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter, offering insights into breaking crime stories, ongoing trial coverage, and intriguing unsolved cases.
