Tropic Air hijacking: Who was Akinyela Taylor? Police say ‘backpacker’ tourist became nuisance, then hijacker, with limited trail

Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2025. 10:54 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Several days after Holy Thursday morning’s shocking events, police say they are no closer to knowing who was the man that turned the lives of 14 passengers on a routine Tropic Air flight en route from Ranchito to San Pedro Town upside down.

The plane was hijacked by 49-year-old Akinyela Sawa Taylor, an American national born in California but living in Missouri. The hijacking, which occurred during the 7:30 AM flight, disrupted the scheduled arrival in San Pedro at 8:00 AM by at least two hours as he demanded to be taken out of the country, while holding passengers at knifepoint including the pilot. Ultimately, he would be shot as the plane landed at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville after ten, dying minutes later.

In a certain irony, Taylor, who entered Belize on April 8, arrived via the PGIA on an American Airlines flight from Miami, Florida. He was seen in and around Belize City and told those he met that he was a ‘backpacker’ looking to see the sights of Belize – like any other tourist. Reports indicate that Taylor had previously attempted to enter Mexico but was denied entry, which has raised questions regarding his intentions and mental state.

Taylor, a U.S. veteran, had later been seen at the PGIA attempting to secure a return flight to the U.S. for which he had no ticket. He reportedly created a disturbance there, leading to his removal by airport security.

Details about Taylor’s previous life have emerged, including a past employment at the Hazelwood School District in Missouri and a self-published book titled “Journey Through the Mire,” which explores personal challenges and themes of salvation. St. Louis, Missouri-area media confirmed he was married and a father of four children.

During his time in Belize, Taylor was spotted multiple times in the Commercial Free Zone near the Mexican border. Despite being a borderless area, immigration protocols were followed. As he did not successfully pass through immigration into Mexico, he faced refusal of entry when attempting to return via the northern land border. Typically, such individuals are sent back to their point of origin per Commissioner of Police Chester Williams at a press briefing today.

Williams said neither he nor Deputy Commissioner Richard Rosado received any reports of Taylor assaulting police officers in Corozal as alleged elsewhere, and when he specifically inquired if Taylor was wanted for any offense there prior to Thursday’s incident, he was told no.

Taylor’s body awaits a post-mortem examination while the United States Embassy in Belize handles issues with claiming the body by family members, Williams said.

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