A Vancouver woman has been found dead at a spa resort in Belize following what local authorities have confirmed was a fatal stabbing. Police say the body of Marty Thorne, who was from Vancouver, was discovered early Monday morning at a wellness retreat known as RawSpa.

According to the Belize Police Department, Thorne’s body was located shortly before 8 a.m. local time. The spa is situated near Bullet Tree Village in western Belize, approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Belize City and about 37 kilometres southwest of Belmopan, the country’s capital.

A police spokesperson told CBC News that the discovery was made after a caretaker arrived at the property and noticed signs of blood at a cabana on the grounds. The cabana, described as a small hut typically used for treatments or guest accommodations, appeared to show evidence of a violent incident. Authorities were contacted immediately, and officers responded to the scene.

Upon conducting a search of the property, police located Thorne’s body approximately 50 metres away from the cabana, near a river that runs along the edge of the spa’s grounds. Investigators have confirmed that the death is being treated as a homicide. While police have not publicly released detailed information about potential suspects or a motive, they have indicated that a formal investigation is underway, including forensic examination of the scene and interviews with individuals connected to the property.

RawSpa is described as a secluded wellness resort offering spa treatments and holistic retreats in a jungle setting. Its remote location, surrounded by forested terrain and riverfront areas, may complicate aspects of the investigation, particularly in terms of reconstructing a timeline and identifying witnesses who may have been in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

Canadian officials have not yet provided detailed public comment, but in cases involving the death of a Canadian citizen abroad, consular services typically work with local authorities and the family to provide assistance. Such support may include facilitating communication, providing guidance on local legal processes, and assisting with repatriation arrangements.

The circumstances surrounding Thorne’s death remain under active review. Police in Belize have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as they continue their inquiries. Authorities have not confirmed whether the spa was operational at the time or how many guests or staff members were present on the property.

As investigators work to determine what led to the fatal stabbing, the case has drawn attention both locally in Belize and in Vancouver, where Thorne was known. Further updates are expected as law enforcement officials complete forensic testing and continue gathering evidence.