Families of 3 Women Found Dead in Belize Hotel Speak Out After Cause of Death Is Confirmed: 'Shattered by the Loss'

• Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, went on vacation to the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize, and were found dead in their hotel room on Saturday, Feb. 22
• Authorities announced on Wednesday, March 26, that the young women died of carbon monoxide poisoning
• "May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae," their families said in a statement
  

The cause of the deaths of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah and Wafae El-Arar has been determined just over a month after their bodies were found on vacation in their San Pedro, Belize, hotel, CBS News, 7 News Belize and ABC affiliate WCVB report.

The three American women were discovered in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort on Saturday, Feb. 22.

All three women died of carbon monoxide poisoning, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, March 26.

Naqqad, 23, Mallah, 24, and El-Arar, 26, each had carboxyhemoglobin levels higher than 60%. Carboxyhemoglobin levels are typically lower than 2% in nonsmokers and lower than 5% in smokers, per the National Library of Medicine.

Carbon monoxide is a fatal odorless, colorless gas; gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators and charcoal grills produce it, among other common items, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Authorities had conducted a second test of the hotel room for carbon monoxide poisoning after the first test showed no signs, Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said on Wednesday, March 19, per a clip shared by 7 News Belize.

Williams previously said in a Monday, Feb. 24 news conference that "alcohol and some gummies," the latter of which contained THC, had been found at the scene, per Channel 5 Belize.

However, no substances were found in the bodies of the three women, the National Forensic Science Service executive director, Gian Cho said, CBS reported.

The families of the deceased issued a joint statement on Wednesday to PEOPLE and other outlets.

"While we remain shattered by the loss of these three bright lights in our world, we are incredibly heartened by the results of this investigation and grateful to those who completed it in a thorough and independent manner,” they said.

They confirmed they are waiting for the results of a separate independent review being conducted by Massachusetts authorities: “We have said since the beginning of this investigation that their deaths were suspicious and raised concerns about initial reports in the news media.”

“While today’s official finding puts to rest those initial reports, we hope this will give authorities in law enforcement pause before they make similar suggestions during future investigations,” the families said.

“Survivors such as our families deserve their best, honest work. We received it today but needed it throughout this investigative process,” their statement read.

The families also asked the Belize authorities to continue their investigative work, to find answers for their families and others who were harmed in the hotel.

The families thanked local and international media, as well as Massachusetts, United States and Belize leaders “who continued to put pressure on Belizean authorities to complete this investigation in a timely and honest manner.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Our families remain incredibly grateful to the outpouring of support we have received from family, friends, leaders and loved ones since their passing. We appreciate the privacy that has been extended to our families as we grieve,” the women's loved ones said.

“Our families ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this unimaginable loss. May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae,” their statement concluded.

In a separate statement, the Royal Kahal Beach Resort sent their condolences to the families of the women killed and added, "From the time this isolated tragedy was discovered, we have been taking all possible steps to ensure that the Resort is safe, and it has been reopened for guests since March 19."

"We have worked with the Belizean government, and authorities have conducted multiple careful assessments of every unit on the property," the resort said. "These assessments have found no further indication of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in any of the units. This tragedy has deeply affected all of us at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort."