Belmopan, Belize – December 18, 2025: A nationwide manhunt enters its second year for Hildebrandt Codd, a convicted murderer who remains at large after orchestrating a dramatic escape from judicial custody moments before his verdict was delivered. The fugitive’s disappearance has exposed critical vulnerabilities within the nation’s judicial security apparatus while leaving a grieving family without closure.
The extraordinary sequence of events unfolded on December 5, 2023, when Codd managed to flee Courtroom Number Three at the High Court just before justices were to deliver their ruling in his murder trial. In a unprecedented legal proceeding, the court subsequently delivered a guilty verdict in absentia for the brutal killing of 34-year-old Densmore Bowman.
Bowman, a Belmopan resident, was reported missing in November 2020. His tragic case culminated nearly three weeks later when highway maintenance workers discovered his decomposing remains buried in a shallow grave along the George Price Highway on December 16. Forensic examination revealed the victim had been brutally hacked to death.
The victim’s family has maintained an active $5,000 reward for information leading to Codd’s capture, expressing both frustration with the ongoing investigation and determination to secure justice. Law enforcement authorities acknowledge the challenges of the case but reaffirm their commitment to apprehending the escaped convict, who represents a significant threat to public safety.
This case has prompted serious scrutiny of courtroom security protocols and sparked broader discussions about judicial reform in Belize. As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information regarding Codd’s whereabouts to come forward, emphasizing that no credible lead is too small to pursue.