On August 20, 2026, a key procedural milestone was reached in a high-profile homicide case tied to a fatal violent incident on Belize’s popular island Caye Caulker, when prosecutors formally handed over the full case documents against accused police officer Lionel Urbina, 20.
Urbina made his first court appearance following the handover at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on that date, appearing without legal representation to receive the prosecution’s evidence: a 145-page case file and seven DVDs containing additional supporting materials. The young officer faces a series of severe charges, including one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, and other criminal offenses linked to the early-morning attack on June 30, 2025.
The violence left 19-year-old American student Kevin Matthew Depaz dead from stab wounds, and two other people injured in the same incident. As the legal process moves forward, Urbina remains in custody without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 21, when a preliminary inquiry into the charges will be held in San Pedro.
A notable family connection adds context to the case: Lionel Urbina is the younger brother of Jane Urbina, a pregnant woman who was shot and killed just 10 days before the Caye Caulker incident, on June 20, 2025, following a visit to a correctional facility.
This report is adapted from a televised evening newscast originally published online, with all translated Kriol language statements transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accuracy.