81-year-old Lester Langdon was found dead in his home. Police continue their investigation. Mauricio Chiac, 22. Maria del Carmen Maaz, 22.

   Sometime around 1:00 a.m. of Sunday, December 18th, San Pedro Police responded to reports of an apparent lifeless body at a residence in the Beach Front area of San Pedro. Upon arriving at the residence of 81-year-old US national Lestor Langdon, officers observed said individual sitting in a chair in his living room in a partly decomposed state and with what appeared to be injuries to the head.

   Police detained both of Langdon’s employees, the caretaker and the domestic worker for questioning until they were formally arrested on Wednesday.

   A post mortem examination was conducted on Monday, December 19th, which revealed that Langdon died from a ruptured skull due to a blow to the head. Police investigation continues and anyone with information leading to the culprit/s is asked to please call the Police or Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-TIPS. Lester Langdon, A Community Icon

   Lester Langdon was born on September 9th, 1924 in Scappoose, Oregon, USA. Lester first arrived in the country of Belize on 1974. He had worked in Scappoose repairing and installing pumps in water systems. One day while he was at the doctor’s waiting room with a minor illness, he came across a National Geographic that spoke about Guatemala and the tax breaks that they were offering.

   Upon arriving in Guatemala and investigating into the tax breaks, Lester discovered that the breaks were only extended to the big corporations. This was not the home he had envisioned, so upon further investigation he discovered Belize.

   Lester paid a visit to Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret on December of 1974. In ’75, he and his wife made the move to the undiscovered jungles that Belize offered. They couple bought 40 acres on the Sibun River and started their farming industry. They planted many a fruits and grew poultry as well. Soon enough, Lester brought his heavy machinery down to the country including a back hoe, a Caterpillar and a dump truck.

   Soon enough, the couple decided to sell out and Lester placed a listing on the Wall Street Journal. Because of this, some property owners in the country commented to him, “Well, since you can sell your property well maybe you can sell mine!” According to Lester’s daughter, Judy Gilbert, that is how his business in real estate began.

   Prior to selling his heavy machinery, Lester was contracted to do a big job on Ambergris Caye, which is how he and his wife arrived on “La Isla Bonita” and completely fell in love. The couple bought the property where the Seven Seas Resort is now located, which is where they lived happily for years. He worked very hard in his real estate business called Belize Real Estate, Limited.

   He retired about six months ago, selling his business. That allowed him to stay in San Pedro full time, instead of just on weekends. In the words of a close friend and confidant, Bill Wilkinson, “Lestor Langdon was truly a community icon.” Wilkinson also shared with The Sun, his thoughts and sentiments towards his friend. He was one of the first persons on the island that brought computers, fax machines, and other office equipment on the island. “He was a man of his word, I’ve known him for many years now. We wish to extend our most deepest sympathies to the family of a true friend, he will be missed.”

   Judy Gilbert continues, “My father loved it down on San Pedro Town; it was not just his home, it was his world. He always wanted to do things for the people of San Pedro Town!”

   The San Pedro Sun extends its most deepest condolences to the family of the late Lester Langdon. May his soul rest in peace.