In a startling development, authorities in Guatemala revealed that human remains discovered near the Tikal archaeological site are likely linked to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, a 66-year-old US birdwatcher who vanished in February 2023. Local officials reported that articles of clothing, including a lilac shirt, sandals, and shorts that correspond to what Ashcroft donned on the day he disappeared, were found alongside the bones.
Ashcroft was part of a birdwatching tour exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tikal when he reportedly decided to return to his hotel but never arrived. His wife, who remained with the group for photography, raised the alarm the moment she realized her husband was missing. Search efforts commenced promptly, with search teams deployed just half an hour after Ashcroft separated from his group, but yielded no results.
Tikal National Park's thick jungle environment further complicated search operations, which included the utilization of sniffer dogs. Despite an Interpol yellow notice issued weeks after his disappearance, no sightings or leads emerged until recently.
Local villagers stumbled across the remains approximately 14 kilometers away from the archaeological site, deep within dense vegetation not easily accessible. Carlos Soza from the Guatemalan Attorney-General's Office indicated that a DNA test would be required to confirm the identity of the remains.
The case of Raymond Ashcroft is not isolated; other tourists have gone missing in the park before and after his disappearance, raising concerns about safety in the region. In 2022, a 53-year-old German man died after becoming lost, and a French family was found dehydrated after two days of being lost in the area. Authorities are now focused on bringing clarity to this unsettling case as investigations continue.
