Skeleton in Guatemalan jungle likely US birdwatcher missing since 2023

July 23, 2025

Human remains discovered in the Guatemalan jungle are believed to belong to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, a 66-year-old American birdwatcher who disappeared in February 2023 while visiting the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Clothing matching what Ashcroft wore on the day of his disappearance was found alongside human bones approximately 14km from the archaeological site. Ashcroft had separated from his birdwatching group to return to their hotel but never arrived, prompting immediate search efforts including sniffer dogs and an Interpol yellow notice, all of which were unsuccessful until this recent discovery.

Who is affected

Raymond Vincent Ashcroft, the 66-year-old US birdwatcher who disappeared
Ashcroft's wife who reported him missing
The birdwatching group that was visiting Tikal with Ashcroft
Residents of the nearby village who discovered the remains

What action is being taken

Officials from the Guatemalan Attorney-General's Office are investigating the human remains
DNA testing is being conducted to determine if the remains belong to Ashcroft
The Attorney-General's Office for Crimes Against Foreign Tourists is involved in the case

Why it matters

The discovery may provide closure in a missing person case that has been open for almost two and a half years
The case highlights the potential dangers in the vast Tikal National Park, where other tourists have previously gone missing
The incident occurred at a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is a popular tourist destination
The discovery emphasizes the challenges of conducting search operations in dense jungle vegetation

What's next

DNA testing will be performed to confirm if the remains belong to Raymond Vincent Ashcroft

Read full article from source: BBC