Human remains found in the Guatemalan jungle are believed to belong to US birdwatcher Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, who went missing nearly two and a half years ago during a trip to the famous Tikal archaeological site. Local authorities reported that a lilac shirt, sandals, and shorts matching the attire Ashcroft wore when he disappeared were found at the location where the bones were discovered.
At 66 years old, Ashcroft was part of a birdwatching group exploring the ancient Maya site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, back in February 2023. His wife reported him missing after he decided to return to their hotel while she stayed behind to take photographs.
Search efforts commenced swiftly, only 30 minutes after Ashcroft parted from his group. Despite deploying sniffer dogs to navigate the thick vegetation within Tikal National Park, no signs of Ashcroft were found. Weeks later, Interpol issued a yellow notice, but no leads regarding his whereabouts emerged.
This week, human bones and clothing consistent with Ashcroft’s last-known outfit were discovered by villagers approximately 14 kilometers from the archaeological site, as stated by Carlos Soza of the attorney-general's office. The remains were hidden in dense foliage, making them accessible only on foot. Soza revealed that DNA testing would be conducted to confirm if the remains are indeed those of Ashcroft.
The incident is part of a broader trend of missing tourists in the expansive national park; in 2022, a 53-year-old German man succumbed to heatstroke after losing his group, while a French family was located dehydrated yet safe after being lost for two days in 2023.
