Police in Belize have charged two teenagers in the slaying of a Canadian man who was found dead in Belize earlier this week.
Matthiew Klinck — a producer and filmmaker from Quebec — was found stabbed to death after an apparent robbery at his home in Selena Village in Belize on Monday.
Asst.-Supt. Reymundo Reyes says a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were detained by police for questioning on Wednesday and were formally charged on Friday.
He says both are charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation with Klinck's death.
Reyes identified the 19-year-old as a Belizean labourer named Brandon Anderson.
The name of the 16-year-old, who is also Belizean, could not be provided due to his age.
"The investigation revealed that both persons have knowledge or involvement in the murder of the young man," Reyes told The Canadian Press in an interview. "Also, during their detention, money was found in their possession, believed to be proceeds of the crime."
Klinck had been living in Belize for about five years and was the producer of a Belize-produced Spanish soap-opera "La Isla Bonita Telenovela."
Police believe the 37-year-old Canadian died after a suspected robbery went awry, Reyes said.
Klinck was believed to be home alone when he was stabbed 14 times in the neck and back, Reyes said.
"The scenario is that apparently the persons knew that he had money in his possession," Reyes said. "They took advantage of the circumstances and they planned a robbery which ended up in (Klinck) being killed and the money stolen from the house."
Reyes said the two teens charged in the case have been remanded to a jail where they will await a trial date.
Police are still searching for a third person who may be able to help with the investigation, he added.
Klinck's body has been cremated and his parents have travelled to Belize, where they have been briefed on the investigation, Reyes said.
A spokesman for Global Affairs has said Canadian consular officials in Belize are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family.
Klinck's film production company, Make-Belize Films, provided production services to the ABC Network series "Criminal Minds:Beyond Borders," according to the company's website.
It also produced Belize's first home-grown feature film, the site said.