American tourist who disappeared in ancient Mayan city remains missing

Authorities are continuing their search for an American tourist who suddenly disappeared while visiting the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala last month. 

Raymond Vincent Ashcroft was visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the jungle of Peten, Guatemala’s northern province bordering Mexico, on Feb. 3, according to Guatemalan authorities. 

Ashcroft was visiting Tikal with his wife, Van Phung, and a group of birdwatchers. His wife of 40 years told local media that he decided to head back to their hotel room. She stayed behind to take pictures of birds and alligators and planned to catch up to him later. 

However, he was nowhere to be found. Ashcroft, 66, was reported missing to the authorities at around 2 p.m. Police agents and soldiers looked for the tourist throughout the park but were unable to find him. 

Seven weeks after being reported missing, Ashcroft’s whereabouts continue to be unknown. Guatemalan authorities contacted Interpol, who issued a yellow notice to help locate or identify the missing man. 

Tikal is a Mayan archeological complex inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. Because it is so remote and surrounded by dense jungles, Ashcroft is not the first tourist that has gone missing in the city.

In 2022, a German tourist was reported missing at the park. His body was found two days later. Authorities determined he had died of a heat stroke.