Three people have reportedly been arrested in Panama over the violent death of a New Zealander.
Armed robbers boarded a Kiwi family's boat and attacked, fleeing the scene with the vessel's motor.
Panama broadcaster TVN reports three suspects are now being held in custody.
Sixty-year-old Alan Culverwell was shot on his family boat off San Blas Island on Friday (NZ time), after responding to noise on the roof.
His wife Derryn was attacked with a machete by men wearing hoods, while the children hid. Derryn and one of the children - a nine-year-old girl - are in hospital. Relatives are on their way to see them.
"We will find the people responsible and hold them accountable," Panama Minister of Security Jonathan Del Rosario said earlier on Saturday (NZ time). "Our country is relatively small - everything is known here, and we will capture them."
Culverwell, a paua diver from Picton, is being remembered as a real "family man".
Alan's sister Derryn Hughes says he was a friend to everybody and his family was everything to him.
"If you are a friend of Alan and you are learning this tragic news via media, we apologise that we did not reach you first. Please know our thoughts and love are with you.
"I speak for the whole family when I say that we are devastated with what has happened. We would appreciate privacy at this time as we grieve as a family. We are all heartbroken."
He bought the vessel, the Aqua Lobo, in Florida two-and-a-half years ago. The family had been travelling through the Caribbean on a long trip home.
They were anchored in a remote part of Guna Yala when the attack happened.
"There's been many crimes that have disturbed the population and in every case we have found the people responsible and we have captured them," said Del Rosario.
"Obviously the judicial process has to advance in its own way and go on, but when an incident then like this happens the investigation protocols start automatically. Every possible source gets activated."
GoFundMe activated
"While a shoulder to cry on is readily available here, funds for this type of tragedy may not be," read a GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up to help the family.
"A family is in need and people have reached out and requested this campaign so they may send help from afar."
As of Saturday at 6:30am (NZ time), more than $11,000 had been raised.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Friday night it is providing consular assistance.
Culverwell's death mirrors that of Kiwi sailing legend Sir Peter Blake, who was shot by pirates in South America after they boarded his boat, the Seamaster.
Newshub.
