Shot Dead at Belize Resort: Colorado Developer's Belize Murder

A prominent Colorado real estate developer, Boris Mannsfeld, was found shot dead at a luxury resort in Belize on Feb. 21, 2025. Mannsfeld, 56, was discovered face down with a single gunshot wound to the back of his neck at the Cocoplum Villas in Maya Beach, according to Breaking Belize News.

The Gruesome Discovery

Mannsfeld, who moved to Belize in 2006, founded Boris Mannsfeld & Associates Belize Real Estate in 2010. His first major project, the Villas at Cocoplum, is considered one of the most sought-after addresses in Belize. The resort where his body was found was one of his own developments.

Mannsfeld's body was found by police around 9 p.m. local time. Investigators also recovered a loaded 9mm pistol, a shell casing, and his wallet containing cash and identification near the scene. No surveillance footage was available at the resort.

The Belize Police Department is treating the case as a potential targeted hit. BNB reported that Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated the murder has "all indications of a hit," according to Fox News Digital, and that authorities are examining Mannsfeld's business transactions to establish a motive and identify potential suspects.

Possible Motive and Legal Battles

Mannsfeld had been involved in multiple high-profile legal disputes and fraud accusations. He had recently been engaged in a $3.9 million lawsuit against a former business associate. In a January 2025 email to clients, Mannsfeld mentioned a "massive fraud case" involving money laundering, fake passports, and millions of dollars in stolen property, according to Fox News Digital.

One suspect, Frik De Meyere, is currently in custody, although charges have not been filed. De Meyere is a former employee of Mannsfeld's and had previously been questioned in the unsolved murder of another of Mannsfeld's associates, Ricardo Borja, in 2023. Darren Taylor, another associate, was killed in 2024, and both murders remain unsolved.

A String of Unsolved Murders

Mannsfeld's death is the third in a string of mysterious murders connected to his business dealings. His former associates, Borja and Taylor, were killed under similarly suspicious circumstances. Police are investigating whether these cases are connected. Channel 5 Belize reported that Williams said, "It will not be wrong for one to assume that there may be some connection there, and we're looking at that possibility," according to PEOPLE.

Borja had accused De Meyere of being involved in a land fraud scheme and had planned to present evidence to authorities shortly before his death. The connection between these cases and Mannsfeld's murder is still under investigation.

What's Next?

The investigation into Boris Mannsfeld's death is ongoing. Belizean authorities are continuing to probe his business dealings, and De Meyere remains in custody as police attempt to determine whether his arrest will lead to any new information or potential charges.

Mannsfeld's passing has left a void in the Belizean real estate community, and those who knew him are awaiting answers as police piece together the circumstances surrounding his death.

References: Colorado Real Estate Developer Shot Dead at Luxury Belize Resort: Reports | Prominent Colorado developer assassinated at luxury Belize home: report