In a significant judicial development, Belizean authorities have formally charged Police Constable Lionel Rodolfo Urbina with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of American student Kevin Matthew Depaz. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concluded its extensive investigation into the June 2025 incident that resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries during a late-night altercation on Caye Caulker.
The twenty-year-old officer faces three serious charges: murder, attempted murder, and use of deadly means of harm. Following his transfer from the island to Belize City, Urbina appeared before the Chief Magistrate where bail was formally denied. The court has remanded him to Belize Central Prison with a scheduled return date of March 31, 2026.
The tragic events unfolded in the early hours of June 30, 2025, outside a fast-food establishment on Caye Caulker. According to official police reports, the confrontation began when Depaz and his companions allegedly assaulted another individual. This prompted intervention from two off-duty officers, Urbina and Darneak Swasey, who pursued the students’ golf cart. The situation escalated dramatically when a second group arrived on the scene, culminating in a violent stabbing that claimed Depaz’s life and left two others with serious injuries.
Notably, investigators have cleared the second officer initially detained in connection with the incident. The DPP’s decision to proceed solely against Urbina followed meticulous examination of witness testimonies and critical surveillance evidence. During his initial court appearance, the accused officer lacked legal representation. The case will subsequently move to the San Pedro court system for further proceedings.