By the WBWTN News Team | June 1, 2025
Placencia Village, Belize (WBWTN) — On Thursday, May 29, a longtime resident Fred Mason Hoffman, 64, was found dead inside his home along Placencia’s Main Road.
Mr. Hoffman, originally from North Carolina and a retired Navy SEAL, had been living at the well-known Pyramid House. He was alone at the time, as his wife was away visiting family in the United States.
His neighbor, who also lives in the area, said he hadn’t seen or heard from Fred all day, which was unusual. Concerned, he reached out for help around 9:51 p.m.
When authorities arrived, they found the property locked and quiet. With no response from inside, they gained permission from Mr. Hoffman’s wife and used a ladder to access the second floor through a window.
Inside, they discovered Mr. Hoffman lying face down on the tiled floor, wrapped in a light green sheet. Blood was visible on his face, but there were no immediate signs of a struggle or foul play.
Fred was last seen alive that same morning.
Fred Mason Hoffman was known in the community as a private and disciplined man, respected by neighbors and loved ones.