In the coastal community of Dangriga District, Belize, a family is living a nightmare as they hold out hope for the safe return of 39-year-old Jericho Humes, a father of three who has been missing for days amid mounting evidence of an abduction. Humes was last spotted by his relatives on a Wednesday morning, when he told the family he was heading out to his regular job. What followed has left the tight-knit family reeling in fear and uncertainty.
Days after Humes’ disappearance, concerned relatives went to check on his home, where they made a series of disturbing discoveries. The residence had been ransacked: windows were smashed, a entry door was jimmied open, clothing was strewn haphazardly across the floors, and a pot of rice Humes had begun cooking before he vanished was left sitting out, spoiling completely. Most alarming of all was a partially burnt cap belonging to Humes, found inside the property, suggesting a deliberate attempt to destroy or conceal evidence.
Clarissa Torres, Humes’ niece, spoke exclusively to local outlet News Five in an emotional phone interview, her voice cracking repeatedly as she described the family’s ordeal. Mid-conversation, Torres had to step away twice to take incoming calls from the individuals she says are holding her uncle hostage, returning each time visibly shaken by the conversation.
Torres confirmed that the unidentified kidnappers have demanded a $10,000 ransom for Humes’ safe release. All communication has come from a phone number registered to a Mexican area code, and all demands have been delivered in Spanish. The captors have refused to let the family speak directly to Humes, but have sent coercive proof of his captivity: a photograph showing a knife held to Humes’ neck, and a later video call from a man whose identity was completely hidden by a white face mask and baseball cap.
“They told us if we don’t pay the money, they will kill him. And if we contact the police, they’ll kill him immediately,” Torres said through tears, describing the threats the family has received. When relatives attempted to negotiate the terms of the ransom drop, the kidnappers insisted the full sum be sent as quickly as possible via Western Union money transfer.
With no way to raise the full five-figure sum on their own, a family member is preparing to launch a public crowdfunding campaign on Facebook to appeal to the community for help. “I don’t even know where to start. I don’t know what to do next, it’s just nonstop stress. I can’t even eat, I can’t think straight,” Torres said, her voice raw with worry. “Right now, all we care about is getting him home safe. He’s a father to three little kids who need him back.”
As of April 7, 2026, Belizean law enforcement officials have not yet released an official statement confirming an active investigation into the reported kidnapping, and the family has not yet reached out to police out of fear for Humes’ life.