Connect with us

Crime

Police Open Murder Cold Cases; placing posters in Grand Turk markets

Published

on

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#TurksandCaicos, December 21, 2022 – Fifteen days shy of the one year anniversary of her death, the Royal TCI Police have renewed calls for information in the Denise Buck murder case along with three other unsolved murders going as far back as 2019.

The cases include that of Lloydel Swann Jr; Dale Taylor Jr and Herbert Skippings.

Swann, fondly called LJ by his loved ones, was shot in April of 2019.   LJ turned up at the Cockburn Town Medical Centre with the head injury and was swiftly transferred to Provo and then Jamaica for treatment but could not be saved.  The police had arrested three men in connection with the murder but nothing ever came of it.

Dale Taylor Jr was found by the side of the road on August 6th 2020, near a bar in the West Road District and was pronounced dead on the spot.  The 15th murder of the year, Taylor’s death had marked the highest murder tally the island had ever seen.  That of course is now eclipsed by 2022.

Denise Buck was killed by an intruder whom she had heard breaking into her home on January 3rd 2022.  The woman had phoned for help but police did not arrive in time to save her life.   A promised internal review of the time they took to reach her is still pending.

No press release regarding Herbert Skippings’ murder was ever shared with Magnetic Media by the Police, the only murder alert was of an unnamed man found in Back Salina on May 9th where police informed an investigation would be opened.

The posters were left at local supermarkets in Grand Turk requesting information.

Residents have expressed concern that it took between 8-months and 3 years to begin pressing the Grand Turk Community for information in these killings.

Crime

Two Individuals Charged with Separate Assault Offences

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, June 28, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has formally charged two individuals in connection with separate incidents of violence reported in Providenciales.

ZEKE HAMILTON, a 24-year-old resident of Blue Hills, has been charged with two counts of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, contrary to Section 27 of the Offences Against the Person Act, Chapter 3.08.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on June 5, 2025, in which Mr. Hamilton is alleged to have assaulted a female and her 18-month-old daughter.

The accused was charged on June 7 and granted $ 2,500 with one surety. He is expected to appear before a Magistrate on June 30.

In a separate matter, ANDREINA POLO, a 34-year-old resident of Five Cays, has been charged with Wounding with Intent, contrary to Section 10 of the Offences Against the Person Act, Chapter 3.08.

The offence allegedly occurred on December 25, 2024, around 8:00 p.m., when Ms. Polo allegedly wounded a female. The accused was charged on June 24, 2025, following an investigation and was granted $3,000 bail with surety.

Ms. Polo is scheduled to appear before a Magistrate on July 14.

Continue Reading

Crime

Unlawful Entry Charge

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, June 28, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has charged FEDELENS GERNIER, a 26-year-old Haitian national, with Unlawful Entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Mr. GERNIER, who resides in Dock Yard, was stopped and searched by officers attached to the Tactical Unit during a routine operation.

A review of his mobile phone revealed images of concern, prompting officers to take him into custody on SUSPICION OF GANG AFFILIATION.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that Mr. GERNIER had no legal status to be in the country.

The accused remains in custody and will appear in court on the next available date.

Continue Reading

Crime

Community Reeling After Security Guard Executed During Supermarket Robbery

Published

on

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Blue Hills, Turks and Caicos — June 26, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos community is in mourning following the brutal killing of a security guard during a robbery at GK Food Store in Blue Hills, a crime police are now investigating as a deliberate assassination.

The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Mervin Mattelles Joseph, a long-serving officer with Spencer Security & Investigation Services Ltd., and a devoted husband and father of two young boys.  According to eyewitnesses and disturbing crime scene video, Joseph was shot multiple times, even as he attempted to flee.  His lifeless body was later found face-down near the store entrance, sparking renewed outrage over the vulnerability of frontline security personnel in the territory.                                                                                                                                                                            “This was more than just a robbery — this was an execution,” said a spokesperson for Spencer Security in an emotional statement.  “Mervin was targeted and gunned down while trying to protect others.  He gave his life in service and deserved better.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The robbery occurred around 5:29 p.m. on June 25, when three masked, armed men stormed the busy community grocery store.  After fatally shooting Joseph, the assailants proceeded to rob the business and fled on foot.  Despite a swift response and active dragnet by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the suspects remain at large.

In a rare public appeal, the police have urged anyone with CCTV footage or information—no matter how small—to come forward.  “We need the public’s help,” said a police spokesperson.  “Justice for Mr. Joseph and his family depends on it.”

The senseless killing has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited calls for better protections for security officers.  “He couldn’t even identify them — they didn’t have to kill him,” said one eyewitness.  “He was doing his job.”

As the investigation continues, Mervin Joseph is remembered not only as a guard, but as a protector, a father, and a man who paid the ultimate price for his commitment to safeguarding others.  The community now awaits justice for a loss that is as profound as it is heartbreaking.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING