(SNO) — Two persons close to Saint Lucia’s latest homicide victim, Henry ‘Zizzy’ Calderon of Water Works Road, Castries, said the youth may have been in bad company but he was “someone’s child”.

Calderon, who would have celebrated his 22nd birthday on April 28, was shot at Water Works Road on Monday evening (Jan. 14). Police responded to the shooting about 9:15 p.m.

In a press release on Tuesday, the police said Calderon was transported to Victoria Hospital “where it was noted that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds about his body”.

He was “later formally pronounced dead” by a medical practitioner, police said.

A young man, described as a “close friend” of the deceased, said though “everyone knows Zizzy was a gangster he had his good and bay ways like anyone else”.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the friend added: “He chose his path, but he was someone’s child. People can say what they want.”

A woman said Calderon, who was her cousin, was no saint but no one deserved to die the way he did.

“I knew him from a baby. He was an okay person if you get to know him. He was just in too much bad company,” the cousin added, also speaking condition of anonymity.

Police said a post mortem examination is scheduled for a subsequent date and investigations are ongoing.

Calderon’s killing is the second homicide for the year.

The first homicide was recorded on Sunday (Jan. 13) when the body of 66-year-old British national, businessman and longtime Saint Lucia resident, Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway, was discovered in a pool of blood at his home in Piat, Grand Riviere, Gros Islet on Sunday, after midday. He is believed to have been stabbed to death, according to unofficial reports.

(5)(23)

The post He was “gangster but someone’s child” — says friend of Saint Lucia’s second homicide victim appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway

(SNO) –Police said the lifeless body of British national and longtime Saint Lucia resident, Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway, was discovered with “apparent wounds”, according to a press release on Tuesday.

The bloodied body of Hathaway was reportedly discovered in his residence in Piat, Grand Riviere, Gros Islet by a neighbour.

Officers from the Gros Islet Police Station responded “to a report of a suspicious death” at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, the release stated.

The release said the 66-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner.

Hathaway

A law enforcement source told St. Lucia News Online that Hathaway may have been stabbed and/or beaten to death, however a post-mortem will confirm the official cause of death,

The police release further stated that the post-mortem is scheduled for a “subsequent date” and that “the circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation”.

In 2001 Hathaway sailed to Saint Lucia and built a home, and founded a business — Marigot Sunshine Ltd. — several years later.

According to Hathaway’s Facebook account, he was divorced, studied engineering at University of Cambridge, and hailed originally from Codford Saint Peter, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

Keats Compton, president of the Marine Industries Association of Saint Lucia and a close friend of Hathaway, called his death “horrific”, according to a Press Association (PA) news agency report.

“Apart from anything else, Bob was a pal of mine. He was on the executive committee of the (Marine Industries) Association and he was an integral part of it. I’m also concerned because the yachting fraternity is very close-knit, and the fact that this kind of thing can happen – if it’s not reported properly it can do the industry quite a lot of damage,” the PA quoted Compton as saying.

Hathaway’s death is Saint Lucia’s first homicide for 2019.

(0)(11)

The post ‘Bob’ Hathaway’s body bore “apparent wounds” – police report appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

A homicide in Saint Lucia in 2017.

(SNO) — Opposition Leader Philip J. Pierre said Saint Lucians are tramautized by the rate of homicides on the island and has called on Prime Minister Allen Chastanet to deliver on his promise to make the island safer.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Pierre said more that 120 homicides have been committed on the island since 2016.

“The prime minister must deliver on his promise to make Saint Lucia safe,” Pierre said. “Citizens are traumatized at the more than 120 homicides that have occurred since June 2016.”

He called on Chastanet, who is also minister of finance, to deal with complaints by police for better salary and improved working conditions.

“Are we safer now?” he questioned.

Pierre also said the failure of the government to “cause IMPACS to disappear as promised during the last election campaign is seriously affecting the morale of members of the police service”.

“The prime minister, through his promises to the police and the United States, and the actions taken, have placed Saint Lucia in a very precarious position legally and financially,” he stated.

Saint Lucia has recorded two homicides so far this year.

Meanwhile, Pierre took a shot at the prime minister when he said banana exports from Saint Lucia was at an all-time high when marketing agents Winfresh have declared that the outlook for bananas on the United Kingdom market does not look promising for 2019.

“It is the same PM who misled us to believe that we would start exporting bananas to France immediately after the last elections and followed with another lie by his government that shipments had already begun in 2017,” Pierre stated. “While the prime minister continues to live in a world of fairy tales the future of our banana farmers remains precarious.”

(7)(9)

The post SLP says over 120 homicides committed since 2016, Saint Lucians “traumatized” appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Botham Jean (left) and Amber Guyger

(SNO) — The mother of Saint Lucian, Botham Jean, who was shot and killed by a police officer in Dallas last year, is throwing her support behind a court decision to place a gag order in the court case.

In legal terms, a gag order is a judge’s order prohibiting the attorneys and the parties to a pending lawsuit or criminal prosecution from talking to the media or the public about the case. The supposed intent is to prevent prejudice due to pre-trial publicity which would influence potential jurors.

The gag order was issued on Tuesday, Jan. 8 by a judge in Dallas.

Speaking to Hot7 TV, Allison said: “It’s to protect both sides, so I do not have much of an issue with it. In fact, I don’t have an issue an issue with it. I am actually supportive of that gag order that was imposed on both the prosecution and the defense.”

Former police officer, Guyger

Allison said what she ultimately is looking forward to is a trial in the shortest possible time.

“So anything that will limit contamination and cause that speedier trial is what I am looking forward to,” she noted. “So I am quite pleased by the order that was placed by the court.”

She stated that she is pleased with the progress with the case so far, despite some setbacks.

“We know that there was a slight delay when it came to the grand jury hearing but again, understanding the US system, it was opportune for it to happen at that time,” Jean remarked. “In addition to that, I prefer thoroughness, that the investigation is thorough rather than it is rushed, and there are no missing parts. So far I am pleased of the progress that the DA’s office is making and I must tell you that the DA’s office also keeps me abreast of any development.”

She also said the Botham Jean Foundation will be launched soon.

“On the sixth of March, we have tentatively scheduled the launch of the Botham Jean Foundation,” Allison explained. “We have registered the foundation in the United States in his name and the goal of that foundation is to continue his legacy.”

Botham Jean, 26, was  shot and killed on September 6, 2018 by Officer Amber Guyger, 30, after she said she mistook Jean’s apartment at the South Side Flats in Dallas for her own. She also claimed that she thought Botham was a burglar.

The matter has sparked outrage and questions, both here in Saint Lucia and the United States, over what happened the night the incident took place.

(1)(1)

The post Mother of slain Saint Lucian supports gag order in court case; launch date set for Botham Jean Foundation appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — A middle-aged bus driver has been hospitalised after he was robbed and shot near his residence in New Village, Castries on Wednesday evening, Jan. 16, according to law enforcement sources.

The victim, identified as Ignatius Jn Baptiste, was accosted by several masked individuals after he parked his bus and was walking home.

The bandits fled after shooting Jn Baptiste in his lower body.

He was transported to hospital via private means. His medical status is unknown at this time.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m.

(0)(14)

The post Man shot in Castries appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Hathaway

(SNO) — Lucian Peoples Movement (LPM) Leader Therold Prudent has said that the “senseless” murders occurring in Saint Lucia will eventually have a serious impact on the image and economic viability of the country.

The homicide case of 66-year-old British national Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway is one of those deaths that have further tarnished the image of the island, Prudent said.

Hathaway’s bloodied body was reportedly discovered in his residence in Piat, Grand Riviere, Gros Islet by a neighbour on Sunday, January 13, around midday. Police said Hathaway’s body bore “apparent wounds” and he was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner.

LPM Leader Therold Prudent

Prudent told St. Lucia News Online in an interview that he was “very dismayed” by Hathaway’s death, adding that “it made me feel particularly sad for our nation, and its image throughout the broader international community”.

“These senseless murders occurring on our island will eventually have a serious impact on the economic viability of Saint Lucia. In fact, as those negative stories are published in capitals around the world, it will no doubt give would be visitors or persons who may wish to invest in our nation and make it their home, the chills about wanting to come to our shores,” Prudent said.

Indeed, the Hathaway homicide has been published by all major British broadcast stations and newspapers.

The LPM leader took a swipe at Prime Minister Allen Chastanet regarding the crime situation.

“He should focus more instead of bragging about false economic growth and unreliable and inaccurate unemployment data. Mr. Chastanet should be focused on instilling greater confidence in our police force, by offering them the tools needed to combats crime. We need a way out of this crime wave paralysis and to reclaim our nation from criminals and those without the moral and political will to help protect the citizens of our nation,” he added.

Hathaway’s homicide is the first for 2019.

(5)(1)

The post LPM leader concerned about the “senseless” murders and their impact on Saint Lucia appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Scratch on child’s arm as a result of the alleged abduction attempt. (Photo: HTS video still image)

(SNO) — A nine-year-old boy is said to be doing okay after a masked man allegedly tried to kidnap him in Ciceron, Castries.

HTS News reported that the incident took place on January 15 while the child was on  his way home from school. The boy managed to fend off this alleged abductor and made good his escape with just a few scratches.

“I have always taught him to scream when somebody tries to get hold of him and I am so thankful that he remembered that,” the grandmother of the minor told HTS. “He screamed his lungs out.”

He then fled to safety.

“When she was home and she heard some screaming and the scream was coming towards her house,” the grandmother explained. “So she ran outside to see where it was coming from. Lo and behold it was he running down the hill, screaming.”

She went on to say the child tried to rush through the gate and said someone tried to kidnap him. According to the grandmother, the child explained that the person had a mask and tried to grab him.

“The person held on to his lunch bag but he dropped the bag and he ran off,” she stated.

But the ordeal for the family did not end there. The grandmother claimed that when a report was made to the Criminal Investigation Department, some sort of exchange ensued.

“To me, I mean, not just because it’s a minor, but any individual to make a report like this, to me the police should at least come to give you some comfort, come and check the area, at least let people see that police is around looking, checking,” she stated. “Nobody came.”

She said comments made by the police on the matter “was not good enough”.

HTS said it has learnt that senior police officers have intervened and is now part of the investigation.

The grandmother said the child suffered only minor bruises on his arm. He is now back at school but the family said he will not be walking back home on his own.

(6)(0)

The post UPDATE: Child doing fine after alleged attempted abduction in Ciceron: “He screamed his lungs out” appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Jn Baptiste

(SNO) — The United States-based sister of a bus driver, who was shot during a robbery near his home in New village, Castries on Wednesday evening, has offered a reward of EC$5,000 to assisting in nabbing the culprits.

Lucy Matyr, a registered nurse living in Pennsylvania, told St. Lucia News Online on Thursday that her brother, 53-year-old Ignatius Jn Baptiste, who sustained three gunshot wounds to his left leg, was discharged from the hospital.

Reports are that, around 7 p.m., Jn Baptiste had just parked his bus and was walking home when he was accosted by three masked individuals, who proceeded to shoot and rob him.

Matyr said, according to information received, her bother “was coming from work and three guys — no questions asked — immediately starting shooting at him”.

She continued. “One bullet got the left leg. He fell to the ground. One of the shooters put his foot on his (Jn Baptiste’s) neck, the other continued to fire at him, took his money, 900 bucks, and they left him to die.

“He dragged himself up to the top of the stairs — in an alley way — screaming for help. That’s when neighbors came and took him to the hospital . He is home. Victoria hospital has no beds. That is scary. He got three bullets in the leg; they got them (bullets) out.”

The sister said she was told that her mother and her niece (Jn Baptiste’s daughter) heard the gunshots, not knowing it was their loved one.

“My niece… was the one who found him,” Matyr added. “What I heard is that the community heard the gunshots, everybody was running in and out of the house, afraid, around 7 p.m., then someone went to check on Ignatius because they know he’s a bus driver and his routine; then my niece went down to check on him. She found him on the steps, dragging himself to come home.They took him to the hospital.”

Matyr, who left Saint Lucia 25 years ago and last visited her homeland last year, said she has always encouraged people to visit the island, but her brother’s shooting, along with the crime rate, is “annoying” and damaging to the country’s image.

She is calling for tougher punishment for people who are “tainting Saint Lucia’s good name”.

“Tourism is part of their business and incidents like these are viewed as negative and vindictive. I want them to know how it feels to have someone put a foot on their throat and to be shot three times, like a drug raid,” she concluded.

(5)(0)

The post Bus driver shot in Castries discharged from hospital; sister offers reward to catch gunmen appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Felicia Browne

(SNO) — President of Caribbean Mentorship Insititute, Felicia Browne, is expressing grave concerns over reports of the attempted abduction of a child in Ciceron, Castries.

She said protection and safety are critical towards a child’s development.

“Children have the right to live free from violence and the fear of living in violence,” she said.

Reports are that a masked man attempted to kidnap a nine-year-old boy on January 15, but quick action by him averted what could have been a serious crime.

The Caribbean Mentorship Institute describes child abduction as “the offense of wrongfully removing or wrongfully retaining, detaining or concealing a child or baby. Abduction is defined as taking away a person by persuasion, by fraud, or by open force or violence. There are two types of child abduction: parental child abduction and abduction by a stranger”.

The organization said children are being trafficked and abducted across the Caribbean region, in particular, Latin America, “and we as a society should take every potential child abduction or trafficking attempt very seriously”.

“This includes that we should have effective mechanisms in place to manage such child protection violations,” Browne said.

She added that children should be educated about their rights, with the assistance of the Ministry of Education and youth organisations, and to invest time to educate children about such rights.

“Children’s rights should be included as part of our education curriculum,” she stated.

Browne said the government has a responsibility to ensure that it promotes and implements the Convention on the Rights of Children into its local policies.

This would include Article 11 and 35 which states that:

Article 11 (Kidnapping): Governments should take steps to stop children being taken out of their own country illegally. This article is particularly concerned with parental abductions. The Convention’s Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography has a provision that concerns abduction for financial gain.

Article 35 (Abduction, sale and trafficking): The government should take all measures possible to make sure that children are not abducted, sold or trafficked. This provision in the Convention is augmented by the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

(2)(0)

The post Alleged child abduction attempt in Castries draws concern from Caribbean Mentorship Institute appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — The police are aware of a photograph circulating of two male individuals, in uniform from a secondary school in Dennery brandishing guns, according to law enforcement sources.

In the photo received by our newsroom late Thursday, the students are wearing attire from the Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary School.

One of the individual points a handgun while the other has a what appears to be a shotgun. The individuals are standing in a home, in front a sofa, near an open doorway.

A police official said they too received the photo on Thursday and the matter is being investigated.

One of the students is reported to be from the Mon Repos area, according to a law enforcement source.

It was not immediately known when the photo was taken.

More details later.

(11)(0)

The post Saint Lucia police investigating gun-toting males in school uniform appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Frederick (inset photo) said the photo of the two schoolboys with firearms is an indication that lawlessness is on the rise in Saint Lucia, and government hasn’t been setting an example.

(SNO) — Former government minister Richard Frederick has called on the police commissioner to investigate a photo in which two secondary schoolboys brandish firearms.

Frederick, a lawyer and former minister for physical planning, housing, urban renewal and local government, made the call Thursday via his weekly live talk show, ‘Can I Help You’, on MBC television.

During the show, he displayed the photo of the boys but had their faces and school crest hidden with emojis. St. Lucia News Online, which obtained an uncensored copy of the photo, was informed by law enforcement sources that the school crest belong to the Clendon Mason Memorial School in Dennery.

According to Frederick, one of the boys in the photo is the son of a police officer.

“Now Mr. Commissioner, one of them, his mother is an officer. Bring him in, force them to tell you whose guns were they,” Frederick said.

“One has a shotgun, the other has a pistol holding it in … side-ward down manner,” he added. “That is what we come to today.”

The former Castries Central parliamentary representative said “lawlessness is on the rise” and the government is not a good example of upholding the law.

“But if you stand lawlessness with the government, if there is lawlessness in the government, then there must be lawlessness that permeates every sector of our society. What is going on in this country? Somebody tell me. Schoolboys, secondary-schoolboys, recruits to a criminal empire, that is where we are at now.”

“And the mother of one of the boys, my instructions is, a police officer. Mr. Commissioner, please investigate and get the necessaries done,” Frederick said.

A law enforcement official said the police are aware of the photo of the gun-toting boys and the matter is been investigated.

(9)(0)

The post Richard Frederick describes schoolboys with guns as “recruits to a criminal empire” appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

(SNO) — A sea captain from Saint Lucia was among victims of what appears to be a pattern of robbery on sea vessels on Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to police reports from St. Vincent, the sea captain, who was not named, was robbed at about 8:49 p.m. on January 14.

The reports stated that on the day the incident took place, unknown people entered the Catamaran belonging to the sea captain, 24, and stole EC$699 and US$400 in cash.

The police are also investigating another robbery, on a yacht, on the same island.

Reports indicate that the robbery took place between 7:30 p.m. on December 30, 2018 and 11 a.m. on December 31, 2018 when unknown people entered the yacht of a professor from Austria and stole varying amounts of cash.

According to the police, €1250.00 EURO, US$300, $40 Canadian, and EC$200, all in cash, were stolen.

The incident occurred at Chatham Bay, Union Island, police said.

(0)(3)

The post Saint Lucian sea captain among robbery victims on Union Island, SVG appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — A woman, who claimed that her sister’s husband assaulted her and has threatened to kill her family on numerous occasions, has expressed disappointment by the way the matter was handled by the police.

The woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO), that on January 17, her sister was assaulted by her own husband.

She said she went to the Gros Islet Poly Clinic to see a doctor after reporting the situation to the Gros Islet Police Station.

“After seeing the doctor, she went to the station to give a statement as requested by an officer,” the woman stated.

She further alleged that while giving a statement on the incident, a police officer told the assaulted woman that “she can handle this”.

“No advice was given to her to pursue it as a court matter,” the woman said. “They will only issue him a warning, as they told her if she goes to court she will only receive medical compensation.”

The woman said she was shocked by this.

“Where are the assault charges?” she queried. “This man has threatened to kill my family on numerous occasions.”

The woman told SNO that she felt the situation could have been handled better and the wrong advice was given.

She is now seeking advice from the public on the matter.

“I would like to receive more advice from the public on what we can actually do to get him locked up,” she stated.

(1)(0)

The post Woman expresses disappointment in Saint Lucia police; seeks public advice appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Jurvelle Felixien (Photos: Facebook)

(SNO) — The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) is investigating the homicide case of 17-year-old Saint Lucian Jurvelle Marquell Felixien, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands (USVI), earlier this month.

To date, there have been no reports of arrests, as Felixien’s relatives and friends in the Virgin Islands and Saint Lucia try to come to grips with his tragic death. He would have celebrated his 18th birthday on February 13.

“That day is slowly approaching … Just like That cuz… Not one family get together goes by and we’re not together…. How will another family get together turn out… Life is unfair,” one person wrote on Felixien’s timeline.

“Boy cuz…..I just cah understandwe all have to go someday…but the way u gonecuz go easy…death has done us apart until we meet again,” another wrote.

According to the VIPD in a press release, on January 8, 2019, at approximately 10:46 a.m., a call came into 911 of a discharging of gunshots in Estate Whim in Frederiksted (St. Croix).

Officers responded and discovered an unresponsive male individual lying on the roadway with his bicycle, police said. The VI Consortium newspaper reported that the victim was “lying on the ground on his back, with his feet still on the pedal of the bicycle”.

Police said preliminary investigation revealed that Felixien was riding his bicycle when a vehicle approached at a high rate of speed, discharging shots at him.

“Medical attendants on the scene were unable to find vital signs on the victim. He was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital Morgue,” police added.

There have been reports indicating a motive for the killing, but a source in St. Croix said detectives are probing reports that the shooting may be gang-related.

Felixien’s killing is the third homicide in the USVI for 2019. To date, five persons have been killed in the USVI, with all the cases occurring on St. Croix, according to media reports. The fifth killing was that of a Dominican Republic businesswoman who was gunned down last Thursday night by a lone masked assailant while she was serving customers at her bar, media reports have stated.

Meanwhile, funeral preparations are underway for Felixien who is scheduled to be buried on February 2 in the USVI, a relative told St. Lucia News Online.

Felixien, also known as Joe, had resided in Morne Du Don, Castries and was a former student of Bocage Secondary.

He travelled to St. Croix in 2017, according to reports.

(0)(1)

The post Saint Lucian shot and killed in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(THE TELEGRAPH) — Police investigating the murder of a British yachtsman in St Lucia have said they want to speak to a pair of young women who lived with the 66-year-old at his hillside bungalow.

Robert Hathaway’s bloody body was found was found last Sunday in the house that he shared with two unidentified women he described as “a bisexual couple of girls”.

Police said they were not alleging the women were responsible for the murder but said they wanted to talk to them as part of their investigation.

“We are not accusing anyone at this stage but we need to talk to these two as they frequented the property,” a police spokesman said.

“Bob Hathaway had many female friends and we are looking at the possibility that one of their boyfriends could have killed him and set things up.”

Mr Hathaway was found naked in bedroom with a pillow on his face. The police spokesman said they were suspicious that the scene may have been manipulated by a killer trying to hide their tracks.

“The crime scene looks a fair bit staged from what has been seen and the pillow was placed on his face. We are trying to ascertain how it got there,” the spokesman said.

Mr Hathaway, who lived on the island since 2001, had a complicated personal life. He had been married and divorced once in the UK and then met a 17-year-old woman in St Lucia named Marquena James.

The couple were together for several years and married in 2017 but are now estranged and were in the process of legally separating when Mr Hathaway was killed.
In Facebook posts published after his death, Mr Hathaway referred to the young women who lived in his home as “a bisexual couple of girls… like two girlfriends,” according to The Times.

“One young gf [girlfriend] living with me alone would be bored witless,” he said. “So this arrangement seems logical, and two months in seems to work. It helps that they don’t like wearing clothes.”

The spokesman for the Royal St Lucia Police said: “Right now everyone is a suspect. We will pursue everybody connected with the deceased as is the case with all investigations. We will not relent until we find closure for the family.”

(6)(2)

The post Saint Lucia police want to speak to “bisexual roommates” of murdered Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Cruise ships in the Castries harbour.

(SNO) — About three days after a local couple were robbed in Serenity Park, Castries, bandits attacked two German cruise ship visitors who had just exited the Park, according to law enforcement sources.

The tourists, a mother and her daughter, were attacked in Sans Souci, sometime between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, shortly after leaving Serenity Park, which has been the scene of a number of robberies and attempted robberies over the past months, according to sources.

The visitors sustained minor injuries when they tussled with the two bandits, one of whom tried to grab a pouch from the mother, according to sources.

The assailants were unsuccessful in getting the pouch as screams from the duo attracted attention from persons nearby. The visitors have since returned to the ship.

This incident comes in light of an attack on a local couple last Wednesday evening.

In that incident, a couple were robbed of their bag, phones, wallet, and other valuables at gunpoint around 7:30 p.m., sources said.

No one was injured as the couple reportedly complied with the bandits’ demands when the gun was pointed at the female’s head, according to sources.

(6)(2)

The post Cruise ship tourists attacked by bandits near Serenity Park appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — Police have confirmed that a body was discovered in the vicinity of a coal pit in Anse Ger, Micoud and a post-mortem is scheduled to take place in a few days to determine the cause of death.

The body has been identified as that of 53-year-old Martin Charlery who had been missing for several days.

His decomposed body was discovered around 4:30 p.m. near his residence on Monday.

A law enforcement official told St. Lucia News Online that the post-mortem, which was scheduled to be done last Friday, has been rescheduled for Monday.

The official said post-mortems are being delayed as there are a number of bodies awaiting examination.

The official added that Charlery’s death was not immediately suspicious as he is known to have medical issues, however the post-mortem will but all speculation to rest.

(2)(5)

The post Body discovered in Micoud appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — An organization which advocates on behalf of women and children who are victims of violence is raising concerns that crimes against females are on the rise in Saint Lucia.

To further compound the problem, Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia said finding shelter for victim of domestic violence is a huge problem.

It is now calling for a safe place for victims of domestic violence.

“Our greatest challenge is to find shelter for a domestic violence victim who needs a safe place urgently,” the organization said in a statement. “We have no public housing and the lone domestic violence shelter in St. Lucia can only accommodate five families at a time and is always at capacity.”

According to the organization, official statistics collected by government agencies, domestic violence and other crimes against women and girls is on the rise but no new facilities or services are being provided by the state.

“Quite often we get calls to say ‘a women is a victim of domestic violence she fears for her life, she needs a place to stay,’ we call the domestic violence shelter and they are often times at capacity,” the organization lamented. “Our volunteers are asked to shelter victims, then subsequently we find an apartment from a private landlord, funding does not permit us to afford a stand alone apartment for each domestic violence victim, specifically those with children so we are setting up a safe house for urgent situations.”

The organization said to save life there is an urgent need of a safe space for victims of domestic violence.

“There is a need to establish safe spaces, meanwhile domestic homicide has escalated, while some women become homeless resorting to sleeping on the streets with children,” Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia stated. “We want women to have a safe space to go when they feel threatened by domestic abusers. This effort to establish a safe house will provide a safe space for at least five women and their children at a time.”

The organization has volunteered to work with victims and make them feel safe as they think, regroup, get counselling to determine their next course of action, while they are empowered to reintegrate safely into society.

“We hope this will inspire other organisations to set up safe houses to save the lives of women and provide much needed support and services for victims of domestic violence in St. Lucia,” it said.

Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia said its mission is to promote and facilitate the elimination of domestic violence by offering support services, counseling and education to women and children affected by domestic violence.

(2)(0)

The post Urgent call for safe place in Saint Lucia for victims of domestic violence appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — Police are investigating a shooting incident in Castries around midday Monday that left at least one person injured.

Unconfirmed reports area that a young male was shot when he allegedly tried to rob a security guard at Blue Coral Mall.

An eyewitness told St Lucia News Online: “I witnessed them going out with him… Clutching his chest… Blood on the ground.”

Police officials meanwhile could not provide any other details but have promised to do so later.

(0)(0)

The post BREAKING NEWS: Shooting in Castries appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — National Security Minister, Senator Hermangild Francis, has expressed dissatisfaction with a police investigation into a viral image of two teens toting high-powered guns.

He was questioned by the media on the matter on Monday and he said in WhatsApp conversations with Police Commissioner, Severin Moncherry, he has asked for further investigation into it.

“I am asking the commissioner, and if I have to show you some of the WhatsApp between the commissioner and myself, you will realize that I am not satisfied with the response that I got,” he stated. “And I told him that I need further investigations to be done to this matter.”

He said when further information is received, an update will be given.

It has been reported that one of the teens is the son of a police officer and there are speculation that there are possible favorable treatment for him.

But Francis said the investigations into the matter continue.

“This is very disturbing that the police will be on their own to make a decision to release or decide this is the way it should go,” he remarked. “This is a matter, they’ve been found with a firearm, the evidence is there that they did in fact have something that appears to be a firearm … thorough investigations will be done, they must be in a position to say where these firearms have gone, who gave it to them and we continue the search.”

(2)(1)

The post Security minister “not satisfied” with investigation into gun-toting teens appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.