Victor Jn Phillip.
Almost one month after two bodies were discovered in the thick bushes along the Fond St. Jacque, Soufriere farmlands bearing gunshot wounds, there are no new leads to these homicides.
Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that there have been no further reports on these cases nor has anyone been arrested.
The body of a 65-year-old farmer Victor Jn Phillip was discovered on the farm on Thursday, October 9, with a single gunshot wound to the head. His body was discovered at about 5:00.a.m that same day.
Jn Phillip had left the day before to tend to his farm, but never returned home. A search was conducted by police and residents, which led to the discovery of the man’s body.
On that same day, a second body was discovered by police in the farmlands. The body bore one gunshot wound to the abdomen. The body was later identified as Mc Donald St. Rose of Cantonment, Vieux Fort.
He was another farmer, who had left to attend to his farm in Saltibus, but never returned home. It is believed that the man was shot and left in the forest for close to three days.
Police Commissioner Vernon Francois had hinted that the homicides may be drug related, especially since the area is known to have had marijuana farms that were destroyed by police.
Members of the community have also suggested that the homicides were drug related. Relatives of both men said they were probably at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Police officials had initially arrested a few men for questioning, who were subsequently released.
Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information regarding these investigations should contact the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID) at 456 3770 or 456 3758.