In a haunting finding, human remains have been uncovered in the dense jungles near the Tikal archaeological site in Guatemala, linked to a US birdwatcher who went missing almost two and a half years ago. The skeletal remains, along with garments like a lilac shirt, sandals, and shorts that correspond to the clothing worn by the missing individual, Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, were discovered 14 kilometers from the famed UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ashcroft, 66, had joined a birdwatching group to explore the ancient Maya city in February 2023. Reports indicate that he separated from the group to return to his hotel but never arrived. His wife, who remained with the group to photograph the surroundings, promptly reported his absence when she realized he was missing.
Search efforts commenced rapidly, with ground teams and sniffer dogs scouring the lush national park. Sadly, their endeavors to locate him proved fruitless. Weeks later, Interpol issued a yellow notice in hopes of obtaining any sightings or information, but no leads emerged, and Ashcroft's belongings remained untraceable until this recent discovery.
According to Carlos Soza from the Guatemalan Attorney-General’s Office, a local community spotted the remains and clothes just this week. The area, known for its challenging terrain, can only be accessed on foot. Authorities plan to conduct a DNA analysis to confirm the identity of the remains. The case highlights a concerning trend, with tourists previously going missing in the vast national park, including a German man who succumbed to heat stroke in 2022 and a French family that was rescued after being lost for two days.
