Local officials suggest that human remains discovered near a renowned archaeological site in Guatemala could belong to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, who vanished in February 2023 while birdwatching at Tikal National Park. Items associated with him were found alongside the remains, prompting a DNA test to confirm his identity.
Potential Discovery of US Birdwatcher’s Remains in Guatemalan Jungle
Potential Discovery of US Birdwatcher’s Remains in Guatemalan Jungle
Authorities believe a recently found skeleton may belong to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, a birdwatcher missing for nearly two years.
Human remains found near an archaeological site in the Guatemalan jungle are thought to be those of a US birdwatcher who was reported missing almost two and a half years ago, local officials say. A lilac shirt, sandals, and shorts, matching those worn by Raymond Vincent Ashcroft on the day of his disappearance, were discovered at the same location as the bones, according to Carlos Soza of the attorney-general's office.
Ashcroft, 66, was part of a group visiting the ancient Maya city of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in February 2023. According to his wife, he had decided to return to their hotel but never arrived. She had remained with the group, capturing photos, and promptly reported him missing once she realized he had not returned.
Rapid search efforts initiated soon after Ashcroft separated from his group yielded no results. Sniffer dogs were deployed to comb the thick vegetation of the national park, but they also failed to locate him. A few weeks following his disappearance, Interpol issued a yellow notice; nevertheless, no sightings were reported, and no trace of his belongings was found until this week.
The human bones and clothing matching Ashcroft's attire were identified in the jungle, approximately 14 kilometers from the archaeological site, by local residents. The official from the Guatemalan Attorney-General's Office for Crimes Against Foreign Tourists noted that the remains were situated within dense vegetation, requiring foot access. A DNA test is expected to confirm whether the remains belong to Ashcroft.
Unfortunately, incidents involving missing tourists are not uncommon in the expansive national park. In 2022, a 53-year-old German man separated from his group and succumbed to heatstroke. Just last year, a French family was found dehydrated but safe after getting lost for two days.
