Belize Ripper

The Belize Ripper is an unidentified Belizean serial killer responsible for the abduction, rape, and murder of five girls in Belize City between 1998 and 2000. Despite extensive investigation, aided by the FBI and Scotland Yard, nobody was ever convicted of the murders, all of which remain unsolved.

Murders On September 8, 1998, 13-year-old Sherilee Nicholas, a fifth-grade student at Wesly Upper School in southern Belize City went missing while walking towards her school. The girl's whereabouts remained unclear until October 9, when her body was found in a pool of water near the George Price Highway. She had been stabbed more than 40 times in the head and chest, with one of her arms nearly cut off and face cut open. The body also showed signs of rape, but most ominously, Nicholas was found to be wearing the clothes of another girl who had gone missing just two days prior to her discovery. That girl was 9-year-old Jay Blades, whose skull and a few bones were recovered six months later. By this time, tensions among the populace were rising and demands for the killer to face justice were high, with the victims' families holding candlelight vigils. The police force issued a curfew to all underage children, but despite their efforts, the Ripper struck one final time.

Suspects Michael Williams The only person charged in any of the killings was a Belize City auto mechanic by the name of Michael Williams, who was a neighbor of victim Jackie Malic. At the time of her murder, the 40-year-old Williams was seen offering a ride to Jackie and her sister Adelma, who both declined. After Jackie disappeared, the police questioned Michael and released him. He was rearrested and charged with murdering Jackie after her body was discovered. While in jail, Williams was also accused of raping a 13-year-old girl a decade prior.

Franklin was never charged with the Belize killings, and he died at the San Quentin State Prison in 2020.