Human Remains Found in Guatemalan Jungle Linked to Missing US Birdwatcher

The discovery of human remains in a dense Guatemalan jungle could provide closure in the case of Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, an American birdwatcher missing since early 2023. Clues, including clothing matching his attire, were found alongside the bones, prompting further investigation, including DNA testing.

Authorities in Guatemala have reported the finding of human remains in a remote area near the famous Tikal archaeological site, believed to belong to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, a US birdwatcher missing for over two years. The remains, discovered approximately 14 kilometers from the UNESCO World Heritage site, were accompanied by clothing items—including a lilac shirt, sandals, and shorts—that corresponded to what Ashcroft wore on the day he vanished.

Ashcroft, aged 66, was part of a birdwatching expedition visiting the ancient Maya city in February 2023. After deciding to return to their hotel while his wife stayed behind to take photographs, he was reported missing when he failed to arrive at their accommodations. Local media detailed that the alarm was raised shortly after his separation from the group, and search efforts commenced almost immediately.

Despite the swift action of search parties, which included the use of sniffer dogs to scavenge the thick vegetation of the Tikal National Park, no trace of Ashcroft was found for several weeks. In the aftermath, Interpol even issued a yellow notice seeking information on his whereabouts, yet no additional leads emerged until now.

Residents from a nearby village made the recent discovery of the bones and clothing hidden within dense underbrush, prompting an official investigation by Guatemalan authorities. Carlos Soza, a representative from the Attorney-General's office focusing on foreign tourists, confirmed the findings and indicated that DNA testing would be essential to conclusively identify whether the remains belonged to Ashcroft.

The Tikal National Park, known for its rich archaeological heritage, has seen other incidents of missing tourists both before and after Ashcroft's disappearance. A separate case in 2022 involved a 53-year-old German man who succumbed to heat stroke after becoming separated from his group, while a French family was rescued in 2023 after being lost for two days without water. The circumstances surrounding these incidents have raised questions on tourist safety in the area, emphasizing the need for vigilance when exploring such vast and untamed landscapes.