BDF Continues to Investigate their Soldier’s Suicide

The case of Private Micah Miguel, the Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldier, who died by suicide last July remains open. The twenty-three-year-old allegedly took her own life and an initial inquiry suggested that the reason for this was that she had been experiencing bullying and harassment. Further investigation revealed evidence that Miguel was also sexually assaulted, all of which ultimately led to deteriorating mental health. Advancements in the investigation relied on text messages that could be found on her cell phone which is in the custody of the police department. Commander of the BDF, Brigadier General Azariel Loria, says that the BDF has been able to work with some of her friends in recovering old text messages that can be helpful in the investigation.  

Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “We got some messages forwarded by her friends. She forwarded some text messages to her female friends here who wanted to get a hold of that cell phone but allegedly the police department still has it and we have not managed.”

Reporter: So from since then you haven’t had –

Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “No because it is also a police matter so the police has to deal with it first and then they will tell us this is what we found, and we can take it from there but the text messages were mostly about bullying.”