Premier decries graveyard vandalism; Police now investigating grave robberies 

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – After multiple grisly discoveries of desecrated graves in Providenciales the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force say they are now investigating the disturbances. It comes days after Premier Washington Misick expressed his intense displeasure with the actions.

“I’d like to express my outrage and disgust that in this country today even the dead are not sacred. I can guarantee the people of this country that every effort will be made to investigate.”

In a short update on Friday the RTCIPF indicated they were aware of the incidents and the Environmental Health Department had made a report to them.

The report follows two separate incidents over two weeks where perpetrators went to great lengths to break open graves in the Five Cays Cemetery, shattering thick concrete slabs to snatch at the bodies which are resting inside.

On May 11th reports emerged of a grave that had been fully dug up and the coffin broken into and left in the sweltering sun for authorities to find. It took four men, only two in protective gear to replace the coffin. Then again on Mother’s Day, May 14th more reports and evidence of other disturbances were reported.

Unconfirmed reports of bodily mutilation were shared by residents on scene of the first incident as well. Residents expressed distress and disgust at the bizarre and invasive behavior.

The government has promised security will be increased with lights placed around the cemeteries and police say their investigation continues.