An executive producer of ABC Chicago was killed while vacationing in Belize. Authorities are still looking for the murder despite having one man in custody, who has not been cooperative. The autopsy has also been released as per the producer's cause of death.
In a report by ABC News, the official autopsy stated that the producer, identified as Anne Swaney, died from asphyxia due to compression on the neck area, throttling, and blunt force traumatic injuries to the head and neck region. The body of Swaney was found floating face down in the Mopan River on Friday morning.
WLS TV, the ABC chapter that Swaney has been working with since 1997, reported that the 39-year-old's killer is still being searched. Swaney went to the river that Friday morning to practice yoga and the motive for the attack is unclear. Her belongings were said to be still in the area where her body was found except for her cellphone.
Belize police officials are still investigating and interviewing employees at the Nabitunich Farm, the eco-resort she was staying at before getting killed.
The manager and owner of the resort, Santiago Juan, said in a statement, "She's a very outgoing person. Very vivid. Loved to ride and that's what she came to do, to ride horses."
Meanwhile, a Guatamelan fisherman was in custody on Friday. He reportedly entered the country illegally. As per reports of NBC, he was in the area to fish but the only thing that police found on him was a knife. There have been no charges against the unidentified man, who police say has been uncooperative in the investigation.
Rafael Martinez, a spokesman for the Belize Ministry of National Security, said in a statement, "He is a person of interest. He is a person who the police believe can assist in the investigation."
Officials also believe that Swaney might have been sexually assaulted but the autopsy reports did not say if they have found DNA on her body that could help in the investigation.
