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Godet Trial begins; case of alleged sex assault at Funeral

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – At the funeral service for her late brother, RYAN MUSGROVE, who was allegedly murdered by beheading, Ms. Ethlyn Musgrove, aged 51, flew in from the United States of America (USA).  While at the burial site, she alleged that she was sexually assaulted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Shortly after returning home, she reported the alleged sexual assault to the local police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The police investigation, spanning from November 30, 2023 (the date of the alleged attack), to February 13, 2024 (the date the accused was charged), resulted in the arrest of JAMES STANLEY GODET, a 60-year-old TCI senior citizen.

He appeared before the Magistrate’s Court earlier this year and pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has arranged for the alleged victim, Ms. Musgrove, to return to the Turks and Caicos to testify before Her Honor The Resident Magistrate, Mrs. Oreika Selver Gardiner, in the trial scheduled to commence and run for two or more days between Monday, May 20th, and Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.

The defendant’s counsel is senior defense attorney Mr. Finbar Grant.

Magnetic Media will keep you updated on the outcome of this trial.

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Platinum Sponsor Beaches Turks & Caicos celebrates top Corporate Engagement title at DG’s 5K 2026  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has been recognised with the corporate engagement award after fielding the largest number of participants in the second staging of the Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk, held recently.

The resort, which also served as a platinum sponsor for the event, mobilized an impressive team of 100 participants, demonstrating its strong commitment to community engagement, health, and philanthropy. Proceeds from the initiative will benefit three key organisations: the Turks and Caicos Islands Cancer Society, the United Way of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Ashley Learning Centre.

General Manager Deryk Meany praised the collective effort of the Beaches team, highlighting the significance of the initiative both for employee wellness and community impact.

“This was a team effort that saw the resort mobilising a strong team to participate in this event,” Meany said. “It provided a healthy activity for participation as well as giving back to a worthy cause. Congratulations to the Deputy Governor and her organising team for staging such a successful event.”

Participants from across various departments joined the early morning run/walk, showcasing camaraderie, determination and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Hotel Manager Ghislain Boutoulle described the event as both physically rewarding and meaningful.

“The route was very good. It was challenging at first but once I got the pace of the run, it was a good morning workout that was done for a worthy cause,” Boutoulle shared. “The Beaches team were well organised and showed the grit and determination to complete the run.”

For many team members, the experience extended beyond fitness, offering opportunities for personal connection and memorable moments. Soraha Jolly from the resort’s entertainment department highlighted the event’s emotional significance.

“This was good. I got the chance to participate with my mother and we ended the run feeling healthy,” Jolly said. “The event was a combination of partnership, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie. I am looking forward to the next staging to be the first to register for the Beaches team. It was a great experience for the entire team, but a very special one for me and my mom.”

Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams commended all participants and sponsors, with special recognition given to Beaches Turks and Caicos for its outstanding contribution.

“The three beneficiaries for this year’s staging were carefully selected to benefit from this event,” the Deputy Governor noted. “Giving back to the community, providing support for health through the Cancer Society and building a strong platform for education with the Ashley Learning Centre allowed the team to give back to a great cause.”

She continued, “We are grateful for all our sponsors but a special commendation to our platinum sponsor, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team, for not only donating but having the largest contingent of participants for this event. This is what true partnership looks like as we continue to build a strong relationship to make our community and the Turks and Caicos Islands better.”

The Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk continues to grow as a signature community event, promoting wellness while raising critical funds for organisations that support health, education and social development across the islands.

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ strong showing this year underscores the resort’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and community partnership. With its record participation and enthusiastic team spirit, the resort has set a high benchmark for future events, reinforcing its role as a leader in both hospitality and community engagement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Statistics Authority Publish Latest Visitor Exit Survey Report    

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 16th, 2026) — Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Statistics Authority, has announced the completion and publication of the latest Visitor Exit Survey Report, providing enhanced insights into visitor behaviour, spending patterns and overall travel experiences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Visitor Exit Survey is a joint initiative designed to better understand the characteristics of visitors to the destination, including their travel motivations, length of stay, expenditure, satisfaction levels and perceptions of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a tourism destination.

While exit surveys have been conducted in previous years, this latest publication marks a significant enhancement in the way tourism data is collected and shared. It introduces a new quarterly reporting framework, with surveys conducted at the end of each quarter and findings published on a more frequent basis throughout the year.

This improved reporting cycle is intended to provide more timely and actionable insights to support tourism planning, policy development, marketing strategy formulation and broader industry decision-making.

“The Statistics Authority is pleased to partner with Experience Turks and Caicos on the Visitor Exit Survey program,” said Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director. “As tourism remains the cornerstone of our economy, reliable and timely data is essential for understanding visitor behaviour, measuring tourism’s economic impact and supporting informed decision-making. We value our ongoing collaboration with Experience Turks and Caicos and believe these quarterly reports will provide stakeholders with valuable insights to help guide the future growth and development of the industry.”

Miss Sharissa Lightbourne, Marketing Intelligence Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, noted that the expanded approach will allow government and industry stakeholders to better track trends in visitor behaviour and assess the economic contribution of tourism beyond traditional arrival statistics.

“Data is the foundation of informed decision-making and plays a critical role in shaping the future of our tourism industry. The insights contained in this report provide a deeper understanding of who our visitors are, how they experience the destination, and how they engage with our tourism product. This information is invaluable to our hotel partners, service providers, investors and other stakeholders as they refine their business strategies, enhance the visitor experience and identify new opportunities for growth. I would like to thank the Statistics Authority for its continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I encourage everyone in the industry to download the report and explore the valuable insights it contains,” she said.

The findings will also support more targeted destination marketing efforts, improved visitor experience initiatives and more informed investment decisions across the tourism sector.

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Statistics Authority reaffirm their commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence and ensuring that stakeholders across the industry have access to reliable, timely and relevant data.

Download the report here: https://issuu.com/myexperiencetci/docs/tci_departing_visitor_survey_report_q1_2026

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DDME LAUNCHES 2026 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON WITH CHURCH VISITS

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 16 June 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has officially commenced the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season with a series of church visits spanning the length and breadth of the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscoring the department’s commitment to reaching every community through fellowship and preparedness.

The initiative, began on Sunday, 31st May 2026, at Providence Baptist Church on the island of North Caicos. Greetings were brought on behalf of DDME by Ms. Andrea Clare, Community Preparedness Officer for North Caicos.

On Sunday, 7th June 2026, the team worshipped at Abundant Life Ministries Int’l on Providenciales. The Director for DDME, Lt Col (Ret’d) Jason Hills brought greetings on behalf of the department, while Ms. Bernadya Smith, Public Information and Media Manager administered a scripture reading.

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in South Caicos was the team’s third visit, taking place on Sunday, 14 June 2026. Director Hills brought greetings to the congregation, a scripture reading was read by Ms. Yolande Williams, Community Preparedness Officer for South Caicos and the congregation was ministered through song by Ms. Tamara Hylton, Training and Education Manager.

While addressing the congregations, Director Hills stated, “At DDME we will do our part. We will track the storms, share the alerts and open the shelters when needed. But the truth is the first responders are right here in this room. You are the ones who take food to your neighbours, who pray when the winds rise. You are the ones who help TCI recover every time. So, this season, let us commit together. Let’s be ready for any storm. Not just in June but all season long. Not just with batteries and water but also with faith and community.”

Throughout the month of June, DDME will continue visiting churches across the islands to formally acknowledge the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and to engage residents at the community level. These services are more than a formality, they are an opportunity for our communities to come together in faith and to be reminded that preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins long before a storm appears on the horizon.

The public is warmly encouraged to attend upcoming services and DDME Initiatives to take an active role in hurricane awareness and family preparedness. Upcoming event schedule is as follows:

UPCOMING CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday, 21 June 2026 • Church of God of Prophecy, Conch Bar, Middle Caicos | 11:00 AM

Sunday, 28 June 2026 • St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Grand Turk | 8:30 AM

OTHER UPCOMING HURRICANE SEASON INITIATIVES

Hurricane Preparedness Expo, Grand Turk Dillon Hall – Friday, 19 June 2026| 10:00 am – 2:00

Community Hurricane Scavenger Hunt, Providenciales – 4 July 2026 | Time: TBA

Families are reminded to review their emergency plans, assemble disaster supply kits and stay informed through official channels. For more information on hurricane preparedness and to stay up to date on upcoming events, please follow our official social media pages.

 

Instagram: ddme.tci_official

Facebook / X/ YouTube: DDME TCI

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