Police In Jamaica Investigating Circumstances Surrounding Death of American Tourist Quintaria Roker

tourist dead in jamaica

Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Law enforcement in Jamaica are conducting a probe into the death of Quintaria Roke r, an American tourist who was discovered dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay last Wednesday (June 21), the Jamaica Gleaner reports.

According to news articles, Roker arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday to meet up with a man that she met online. After partying into Wednesday morning, they reportedly reserved a room at the Montego Bay Club Resort.

Around 10 a.m. her male companion noticed that Roker never got out of bed and he found her unresponsive. After calling 911, she was then rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Clifford Chambers, Assistant Commissioner and head of the Area One Police said officials are “awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine her cause of death.”

Roker’s death is eerily similar to the case of Shanquella Robinson , the Charlotte woman who died during a trip with friends to Mexico last October.

Robinson, 25, traveled to Mexico along with six friends from college and was discovered unconscious on October 29. The group, four women and two men were reportedly staying in a rented tourist property in San Jose del Cabo, in Baja California Sur, which is more than 1,000 miles south of San Diego.

Robinson’s friends told her family that died of alcohol poisoning but a video that went viral on social media revealed Robinson was attacked by someone with whom she traveled with her on the trip. It remains unclear when the footage was captured or if Robinson died as a result of the injuries she suffered from the attack.

Feds Say They Will Not Pursue Criminal Charges In Death of Shanquella Robinson

Following an investigation of Robinson’s death, the U.S. The State Attorney’s office concluded that there wasn't enough evidence to bring forth a federal criminal case.

“Given the circumstances of Ms. Robinson’s death and the public concern surrounding this investigation, it is important to reassure the public that experienced federal agents and seasoned prosecutors have extensively reviewed the available evidence and has concluded that federal charges cannot be pursued," U.S. Attorney Dena King said in a statement at the time.

A public memorial for Roker is currently being planned by her family to honor her memory.

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The Jamaica Star

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tourist dead in jamaica

American tourist found dead in hotel room

tourist dead in jamaica

A female tourist from the United States was found dead inside a hotel room in Montego Bay, St James on Wednesday morning. 

She has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker, from West Palm Beach in Florida.

It is reported that Roker arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday, where she met with a male friend who she met on social media. 

They both booked a room on the 10th floor of the Montego Bay Club Hotel after partying for several hours on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

It is further reported that about 10:00 a.m., the male friend realised that she had not gotten up out of bed and went to make checks. He found her unresponsive and raised an alarm.

Roker was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The police say no foul play is suspected, but an investigation is ongoing.

- Hopeton Bucknor 

We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on Twitter @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.

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Watch CBS News

U.S. travel advisory for Jamaica warns Americans to reconsider visits amid spate of murders

By Tucker Reals

Updated on: February 2, 2024 / 2:32 PM EST / CBS News

The U.S. government has raised its travel alert level for Jamaica amid a spate of murders in the Caribbean nation, urging Americans to reconsider visiting the island "due to crime and [unreliable] medical services." 

The State Department announced the change, to its Level 3 travel advisory, for Jamaica just a few days after it issued a warning about the Bahamas, which remained at a Level 2 advisory , urging Americans to "exercise increased caution," despite a series of murders there.

The warnings about travel to the popular tourist destinations come as many Americans are planning and booking their vacations for the year ahead.

The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica warned that "violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts."

People relax and swim at Doctor's Cave beach

It added that Jamaican police "often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents." The advisory said that hospitals and ambulances are not always reliable and some private institutions may require payment up front.

"The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere," the State Department noted.

According to statistics published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force , the nation — which has a population of about 2.8 million — had recorded 65 homicides between Jan. 1 and Jan. 27 of this year. While that represents a significant drop from the same period the previous year, when there were 81 homicides, the number of shootings and people injured in crimes increased this January compared to last. The data show a major drop in the number of recorded rapes in January 2024 compared to the previous year.

The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, the nation's oldest, reported on Monday that this monthly's murder tally of 65 included 19 murders during the previous week alone.

In the Bahamas, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau said in a message published on Jan. 24 that there had been 18 murders in the capital city since the start of the year, which had "occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets."

It said most of the recent killings were linked to gang violence and urged travelers to "exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau)" in particular, and to be extra careful if walking or driving at night.

"Do not physically resist any robbery attempt," the embassy warned, adding a suggestion for visitors to review their "personal security plans."

Tourism is a huge sector for Jamaica's economy, and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett told the country's lawmakers in December that he expected a "spectacular growth pattern" seen during 2022 and 2023 to continue.

"The island should record a total of 4,122,100 visitors for the period January to December, 2023," he said, according to a statement on his ministry's website. "This would signal an increase of 23.7% over the total number of visitors recorded in 2022."

According to the ministry, tourism brought roughly $4.2 billion into Jamaica's economy in 2023.

Tucker Reals is cbsnews.com's foreign editor, based in the CBS News London bureau. He has worked for CBS News since 2006, prior to which he worked for The Associated Press in Washington D.C. and London.

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Jamaica Police Investigating Death of 24-Year-Old American Woman Celebrating Her Birthday On Island

Police in Jamaica are investigating the death of a 24-year-old American woman who died while on vacation. Police found Quintairia Roker inside her hotel room in Montego Bay on June 21.

According to police, Roker of West Palm Beach, Florida, was visiting a male friend she met online to celebrate her birthday.

They partied for hours on Tuesday night into the morning before returning to the room they booked at Montego Bay Club Resort.

The next day, her male friend went to check on her after she didn’t get out of bed. He found her unresponsive around 10:00 a.m. before first responders arrived on the scene before she was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the Caribbean National Weekly, police are not suspecting foul play at this time.

Family and Friends Remember Quintairia As A Beautiful, Sweet Girl

Family and friends have taken to social media to celebrate the young woman’s life, who many describe as a “beautiful and sweet girl.”

“I’m lost for words and still in disbelief of losing my beautiful sweet young cousin,” one family member stated. “Taria Roker, we love you, baby girl…we will miss you entirely.”

“My niece, Taria Roker, is gone too soon,” another family member posted on Facebook. “We will miss your beautiful smile and kind heart […] The entire family is asking for your sincere prayers.”

The latest travel advisory from the U.S. State Department lists Jamaica as Level 3: Reconsider Travel as of May 10, 2023. U.S. officials say Americans should reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime.

The advisory reads:

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards.”

The advisory also warns that U.S. government officials are prohibited from traveling to certain areas due to crime. Of the 11 regions listed, St. James Parish, where Montego Bay is also listed.

This story is developing.

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US citizens planning to visit Jamaica should reconsider due to the threat of violent crime and sexual assaults, the State Department said

  • The US is warning against travel to Jamaica because of the threat of violence.
  • The US embassy highlighted home invasions, armed robberies,  and homicides. 
  • All-inclusive holiday resorts in Jamaica have seen a number of sexual assaults.

Insider Today

The US government has elevated its travel alert level for Jamaica and the Bahamas, cautioning Americans against visiting the Caribbean nations due to violent incidents.

The State Department has raised the advisory for Jamaica to "Level 3: Reconsider Travel," citing concerns over crime and unreliable medical services. 

The announcement follows a warning about the Bahamas, which remains at a Level 2 advisory, urging increased caution after a series of murders.

The US embassy in Jamaica warned of home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides. 

Sexual assaults have been reported at all-inclusive holiday resorts, said the State Department's Jamaica travel advisory. 

It also noted: "The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere."

Furthermore, it said Jamaican police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and hospitals and ambulances may not always provide reliable services, with some private institutions requiring upfront payments.

The cost of air ambulance services from the Caribbean to the US can range from $30,000 to $50,000, it said.

The State Department's warning to US visitors is important because tourism is a vital economic driver for Jamaica, the largest island in the Caribbean.

It recorded 4,122,100 visitors from January to December 2023 — three out of four come from the US — a 23.7% annual increase, injecting about $4.2 billion into Jamaica's economy , per CBS News.

In the Bahamas, the US embassy in Nassau highlighted 18 murders in the capital since the beginning of the year, linked mainly to gang violence.

The " Over the Hill" area of Nassau has seen heightened violent activity as a result of gang-on-gang violence, per the State Department travel advisory.

The State Department also warned against water-based activities, such as tours on commercial, recreational watercraft, stressing that these are not consistently regulated.

Likewise, the Bahamas relies heavily on tourism, a crucial sector that the amped-up travel warning could hit

Last month, The US embassy in Colombia also issued a security alert warning of the risks of using online dating sites in the South American country after eight US citizens died under suspicious circumstances in the city of Medellín between November 1 and December 31, 2023.

tourist dead in jamaica

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British tourist, 33, shot dead in Jamaica after 'standing by pool at villa'

Sean Patterson was shot multiple times, police say

  • 08:00, 4 JAN 2023

The 33-year-old was killed in Jamaica

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A British tourist has been gunned down and killed while on holiday in Jamaica. Sean Patterson was reportedly shot multiple times at the One Love Guest House in Bogue Hill, St James.

Local police say the 33-year-old personal trainer, from West London , was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at around midday on Monday (January 2). Jamaica Constabulary Force says its Montego Bay officers received reports that the British national was standing by a pool at the villa when witnesses heard 'loud explosions'.

The force told the PA news agency that Mr Patterson was then shot multiple times after a short chase, the Mirror reports . He was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head, but was unable to be revived.

READ MORE: Gucci and Rolex watches among luxury haul seized by police in raids on homes and cars

A 34-year-old man from Kingston, Jamaica, has been now taken into custody in connection with the incident, according to local media. Reports in Jamaica claim the suspect had been deported from the UK in 2013.

Mr Patterson is understood to have been in the country since December 29, 2022. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to PA they were currently 'supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities'.

Mr Patterson is the first person to have been murdered in the parish of St James this year, with the suburban area reporting a total of 198 murders in 2022. Jamaica as a whole meanwhile reported 1,421 killings out of a total population of 2.8 million people at the start of December, outpacing the 1,375 killings in the same period last year, a spokesman with Jamaica’s Constabulary Force told The Associated Press.

The prime minister declared a widespread state of emergency last month in response to a surge in gang violence on the island. Last October, Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator also moved to ban music and TV broadcasts deemed to glorify or promote criminal activity, including violence, drug use, scamming and weapons.

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British tourist, 33, shot dead at guesthouse where he was staying in Jamaica

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British tourist, 33, shot dead at guesthouse where he was staying in Jamaica

A British tourist has been shot dead in Jamaica.

Sean Patterson, 33, was gunned down by the pool of the guest house where he was staying in St James on Monday.

The personal trainer, from west London , was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at around midday.

Police had rushed to the scene after witnesses described hearing ‘loud explosions’.

Mr Patterson was taken to hospital but could not be revived.

According to local media, a 34-year-old man has been taken into custody.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed they are ‘supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

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British tourist shot in Jamaica was ‘contract killing', police say

British tourist shot in Jamaica was ‘contract killing', police say

Sean patterson was found dead on monday near the pool of his holiday accommodation.

Lucy Devine

Police in Jamaica have claimed the shooting of a 33-year-old British tourist was a 'contract killing'.

Sean Patterson, a personal trainer from West London, was found dead on Monday (2 January) near the pool of his holiday accommodation in Bogue Hill, St James .

He had gunshot wounds to his upper body and head.

In a video statement on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey, who is in charge of the crime and security portfolio, said: “Our investigation so far has theorised that the murder was a contract killing that emanated from Britain.”

Sean Patterson was found dead on Monday near the pool of his holiday accommodation.

Mr Bailey said Mr Patterson had arrived in Jamaica on 29 December with another man from London. They had spent a number of days at an apartment before checking into the St James villa on New Year's Day.

They later met up with a third man – from Kingston – who was at the villa when Patterson was murdered.

“[The Kingston man] reported that his back was turned to [Mr] Patterson when he heard several loud explosions [which] sounded like gunshots,” Mr Bailey said.

“He reported that he looked around and saw a lone man dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt with a handgun shooting [Mr] Patterson.”

The witness reportedly hid in the bushes, before police later arrived and found Mr Patterson in a “pool of blood” with “what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the upper-body and head”.

Mr Bailey said that Mr Patterson had arrived in Jamaica on 29 December.

“There is no evidence (Mr) Patterson was robbed," said Mr Bailey, adding that local authorities are working with UK police and are making "significant progress".

On Tuesday, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to the PA news agency they were currently “supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities”.

Mr Patterson’s mother, Lesley Wright, told the Daily Mail that her son had travelled to Jamaica to meet family.

She said: “The local police have told me that Sean was at a big party over New Year and was sitting by a pool talking to friends.

“Someone pulled at his arm and he shrugged the person off but about four gunshots were fired immediately afterwards and Sean was hit in the upper body.

Sean had been staying in St James, Jamaica.

“I’ve lost my baby. No mother should have to bury her child. He’d gone to Jamaica with my godson and one of my best friends and had only been there for two days.”

Wright went on to explain that her son was not the 'argumentative type' and she was at a loss over his death. She described him as the 'loveliest, sweetest boy and the kindest, most happy-go-lucky man'.

“We hope for justice and that my son’s killer is taken off the street where they can’t hurt anyone else and destroy another family," she added.

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Brit tourist, 33, chased and shot dead while on holiday at luxury villa in Jamaica

A Brit tourist has died after he was shot multiple times by a gunman while staying at a luxury guest house in Jamaica, with local media reporting that the suspect had previously been deported from the UK

A British tourist has died after being shot multiple times at a guest house in Jamaica

  • 01:12, 4 Jan 2023
  • Updated 08:41, 4 Jan 2023

A British tourist has died after he was shot multiple times while holidaying at a luxury villa in Jamaica.

Personal trainer Sean Patterson, 33, from West London, was reportedly gunned down during a stay at the One Love Guest House in Bogue Hill, St James on Saturday.

Jamaica Constabulary Force told the PA news agency officers from Montego Bay Police had received reports the 33-year-old was standing by the accommodation's on-site pool when witnesses heard “loud explosions”.

Mr Patterson, a British national, was then shot multiple times after a short chase. He was transported to hospital with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head, but was unable to be revived.

A 34-year-old man from Kingston, Jamaica has been now taken into custody in connection with the incident, according to local media, who additionally reported that he had been deported from the United Kingdom in 2013.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to PA they were currently “supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities”.

Mr Patterson is understood to have been in the country since December 29.

He is the first person to have been murdered in the parish of St James this year, with the suburban area reporting a total of 198 murders in 2022.

Jamaica as a whole meanwhile reported 1,421 killings out of a total population of 2.8 million people at start of December, outpacing the 1,375 killings in the same period last year, a spokesman with Jamaica’s Constabulary Force told The Associated Press.

The prime minister declared a widespread state of emergency last month in response to a surge in gang violence on the island

Last October Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator also moved to ban music and TV broadcasts deemed to glorify or promote criminal activity, including violence, drug use, scamming and weapons.

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Caribbean National Weekly

The Jamaican police are investigating the death of an American woman who was found dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Reports are that Roker arrived on the island on Tuesday and met up with a male friend she met online. After allegedly partying for hours on Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, they rented a room at the Montego Bay Club Resort.

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It is further reported that around 10 a.m., her male friend went to check on her and found her unresponsive. He then raised an alarm.

Roker was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The police say no foul play is suspected.

Investigations are ongoing. 

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Tour operator gunned down while transporting tourists in Negril

tourist dead in jamaica

A tour operator was shot and killed by gunmen while transporting two tourists in Negril, Westmoreland on Monday night.

The deceased is 53-year-old Byron Grey of West End in Negril.

The police report that about 11:10 p.m., Grey was transporting two male tourists in his Toyota Voxy bus along the West End main road when two men travelling on a motorcycle rode up beside the vehicle.

The men then pulled handguns and opened fire hitting Grey multiple times.

He lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into a wall.

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The gunmen subsequently fled the scene.

The police were summoned and upon arrival Grey, who was discovered suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Savanna-La-Mar Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The tourists who were being transported by Grey were not hurt in the shooting.

- Hopeton Bucknor

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at [email protected] or [email protected] .

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American tourist found dead in MoBay hotel room

Jamaica Gleaner

The St James police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an American woman who was discovered dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay on Wednesday morning. She has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker, who lived...

Jamaica Star

American tourist found dead in hotel room

American tourist found dead in hotel room A female tourist from the United States was found dead inside a hotel room in Montego Bay, St James on Wednesday morning. She has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker, from West Palm Beach in Florida. It is reported that Roker...

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Tourist dies trying to drink all 21 cocktails on Jamaican menu

He only managed 12

The tourist who died trying to drink 21 cocktails.

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A British tourist on holiday with his family in Jamaica died after attempting to take part in a challenge that involved drinking all 21 cocktails on the menu of a pool bar at his hotel.

Timothy Southern , 53, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, had finished 12 of the 21 cocktails on the menu when he returned to his hotel room at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Saint Ann, where he later died.

A pathologist in Kingston said the cause of death of the 53-year-old Staffordshire man was "acute gastroenteritis due to alcohol consumption". A Staffordshire-area coroner has also ruled that the death was alcohol-related.

The 21-cocktail challenge

The initial investigation into Southern's death found that he had been drinking brandy and beer throughout the morning.

Southern met two women from Canada who were celebrating a birthday, and both told him they were trying to complete the 21-cocktail challenge before midnight as part of their festivities.

It was unclear how quickly Southern consumed the 12 cocktails, and the family members he was travelling with said they sought to help him, but all to no avail.

"He was on his back choking. I put him in the recovery position and screamed for an ambulance," one of his relatives told the inquest.

"He was making a gurgling sound. As soon as he was in the recovery position he vomited.

"I was shouting his name with no response."

Family appeals for financial help

Through a message on GoFundMe, Southern's family is seeking financial support to bring her body back to Britain.

"As you're all probably aware; unfortunately our dad, Timmy Southern passed away whilst on holiday in Jamaica. Unfortunately, after doing some digging to find information about his insurance we have found out that he's not actually covered by his bank (as he had originally thought)," reads a family statement.

"This leaves us with an impossibly large amount of money to find in order to bring him home and pay for his funeral. We know dad was loved by so many with friends all over the world, the biggest character most would ever come across.

"We're hoping by doing this we could try to raise as much money as we can to get him home so that we, as a family, get to say our goodbyes. Anything that is left over from the funds we raise will go to the MIND charity."

At the time of this article, a total of 9,400 pounds sterling (almost 12,000 dollars) had been raised, thanks to 242 donations.

The hotel did not have adequate medical staff

The family has since expressed outrage and dissatisfaction with the emergency crews who tried to save him at his hotel, claiming they were not prepared to treat him properly.

"When the nurse arrived I said had an ambulance been called and she said 'no'. I thought she would take over. But that was not the case. I noticed he was starting to lose temperature. I checked his pulse and couldn't find it," said a relative.

"She said he had a pulse. I was starting to lose it. I got a full look at his face and I thought he had passed away. I said, "Don't just sit there looking at him, start CPR".

"She only gave him chest compressions. Maybe if she had known what she was doing, maybe he would still be here. The service and treatment he received was disgusting."

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Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.

Wave of sex attacks and murders spark travel warning to jamaica, the advisory from the us department of state comes as the island enters high season for caribbean travel, lasting from january to may., plans for jamaican republic – with referendum 'as early as 2024'.

Americans are warned to "reconsider travel" to Jamaica as the murder toll reaches 65 people this month.

The US Department of State has raised Jamaica's travel advisory to a Level 3, just one level above a Level 4 "do not travel" warning.

"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common," the agency says. "Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts."

The alert was issued last week as the island nation enters high season for Caribbean travel, which lasts from January to May.

Separately, the US embassy in the Bahamas has warned Americans to exercise "extreme caution" in the country as it deals with 18 murders this month alone.

READ MORE:  Bahamas tourists should be 'extremely' careful as 18 murders rock the island

Police officers wait outside a possible crime scene in Jamaica

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The US warns that crime is high and Jamaican institutions are woefully inadequate.

"Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents," the State Department said. "When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities."

Americans are also urged to buy travel insurance , as emergency services could prove expensive if needed.

The homicide rate in Jamaica, which has a population of about 2.8 million people, has been one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere for several years.

The country's leaders have announced plans to hold a referendum this year that would officially sever their ties to Britain and King Charles and allow the country to officially call itself a republic.

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Police officers in Jamaica standing on a street

US government personnel have been banned from traveling in multiple parishes, including those of St. James and St. Ann.

St. James saw nine homicides in the first 13 days of the year, while St. Ann saw five, according to the Jamaica Gleaner .

Jamaica isn't the only Caribbean nation having a difficult 2024.

In The Bahamas, "murders have occured at all hours including in broad daylight and on the streets," said the US embassy in the country. American authorities blame the troubles on "gang-on-gang violence," while the Bahamian prime minister has promised "more intrusive policing" to addres the terrifying crisis.

Follow our social media accounts here on  facebook.com/ExpressUSNews  and @expressusnews

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  • Bahamas tourists should be 'extremely' careful as 18 murders rock the island

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GOLDSTEIN: First they came for the Jews — now they’re targeting everyone

Fans melt down as raptors reach new low with worst home loss in franchise history: 'i've lost all hope', b.c. man, 25, identified as victim of fatal shooting in rexdale, 'this is disgusting:' doritos fires trans influencer over ‘depraved’ tweets, leafs snapshots: trades winds rustle as leafs prepare to take on sabres, popular toronto restaurateur merrick 'owen' aries shot to death in jamaica, article content.

Cops in Jamaica are trying to untangle the brutal ambush murder of popular Toronto restaurateur Merrick Aries on the island Tuesday.

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Popular Toronto restaurateur Merrick 'Owen' Aries shot to death in Jamaica Back to video

According to homicide detectives, the bullet-riddled body of the 43-year-old co-owner of The Diner’s Corner at Yonge and Isabella in the downtown section of the city, was discovered around 9:30 a.m.

Aries’ partially decomposed corpse was found stashed in bushes in Salt River, Clarendon — an area well-known for criminal activity. He had been shot multiple times in the head and upper body.

Now, detectives say they are trying to establish a motive for the Canadian man’s shocking slaying. But their working theory is that Aries was lured to the area where he was robbed and murdered.

His rental car was discovered at the scene.

Local media reports that Aries arrived at Sangster International Airport in St. James, Jamaica on Oct. 14 and had been slated to leave this coming Monday. He rented the car in St. James on the day he arrived.

Aries — who friends called Owen — co-owned The Diner’s Corner with his brother. The nosh plate was well-known for selling authentic Jamaican cuisine.

The news stunned friends and patrons of The Diner’s Corner.

One Facebook user wrote: “Owen, the co-owner of The Diner’s Corner in Toronto, was a dear friend. Owen always embodied warmth, tranquillity and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, a trait he instilled in his dedicated staff. My heart goes out to Owen’s family and friends, both near and far.”

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Another wrote: “(I) am in shock. I just met him (Aries) at Blockobana this year. Such a beautiful soul he was. May he rest in peace. Stolen from us.”

Aries reportedly immigrated to Canada in 2000 after learning his cooking skills on the island.

One friend wrote: “Owen was friendly, calm, and believed in providing the best service to his customers. That was what he shared with and expected of his staff.

“We miss you, Owen (Merrick Aries); we miss the conversations, laughter, the sweet potato pudding nicely decorated and presented, and your warm and hospitable presence in the restaurant…

“We hope that whoever took your life will be found and that it happens quickly. Oh, what a distressful news! Walk good, my friend.”

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Paradise lost: these tourists had tragic caribbean, mexico vacations.

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Tourists on tropical vacations have been plagued by trouble in paradise in recent years — including mysterious poisonings, unsolved disappearances and one couple’s tragic honeymoon murder.

Last week, American tourists Robbie Phillips, 65, Michael Phillips, 68 , and Vincent Chiarella, 64, became the latest to have their dream trips turn into nightmares, when they suddenly fell ill and died mysteriously at the swanky Sandals Emerald Bay resort in the Bahamas.

The case reignited fear surrounding strange and violent deaths at vacation hotspots in the Caribbean and Mexico. 

Here are some examples of where paradise was lost:

Sativa Transue. Cancún, Mexico. November, 2021.

The 26-year-old Washington state woman planned to spend Thanksgiving relaxing in the sun with her boyfriend,  Taylor Allen.

But the day after arriving, she was reportedly found “beaten to a bloody pulp”  in a room at the $200-a-night All Ritmo Resort.

Allen was quickly arrested by Mexican authorities and charged with killing her.

Sativa Transue

Elijah Snow. Cancun,  Mexico. July 2021.

The 35 -year-old Texas firefighter was celebrating a wedding anniversary with his wife, Jamie, when he disappeared just hours after checking into the Royalton Chic Cancún Resort & Spa.

His body was found the next morning, stuffed into a small window on an isolated strip of the Sunset Royal Beach.

Elijah Snow

Despite multiple bruises and a gash on his head, Mexican officials ruled his death an accident.

Nathaniel Holmes and Cynthia Ann Day. Dominican Republic. June 2019

The bodies of Day, 50, and her fiancé Holmes, 63, were found in their room at the Bahia Principe hotel at the Playa Nueva Romana resort.

They reportedly suffered respiratory failure amid a string of tourists deaths on the island in the summer of 2019.

Cynthia Ann Day and fiance Nathaniel Holmes

Vittorio Caruso,  Dominican Republic. June, 2019

The 56-year-old Long Island pizzeria owner mysteriously died while staying at the Boca Chica Resort in Santo Domingo after “drinking something,” according to his sister-in-law, Lisa Maria Caruso.

He was the 10th American to die in the Dominican Republic during the time period. Authorities in the country later said he suffered from respiratory and heart failure.

Vittorio Caruso

Jerry Curran. Dominican Republic, January, 2019.

The 78-year-old former police officer from Bedford, Ohio, fell ill after having dinner and drinks with his wife, Janet, at the Dreams Resort in Punta Cana.

He was rushed to a hospital after he began vomiting and became unresponsive.

His official cause of death was pulmonary edema, cerebral hypoxia and severe encephalitic cranial trauma.

Jerry Curran

David Harrison. Dominican Republic, July 2018.

The 45-year-old Maryland man died suspiciously while celebrating a wedding anniversary at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana.

Harrison reportedly woke up struggling to breath and covered in sweat, according to his wife, Dawn McCoy.

McCoy later said staff at the hotel tried to pressure her into having his body cremated before returning to the US.  Methanol poisoning, linked to bootleg liquor, was eyed as the cause of his death.

David Harrison

Robert Bell Wallace. Dominican Republic, 2018.

The 67-year-old California man died after drinking from the minibar in his room at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort in Punta Cana.

His family called his death into question after learning that three other Americans had died suddenly within five days of each other at another all-inclusive resort on the island in May 2019.

Robert Bell Wallace

Antonio Reyes. Dominican Republic. August, 2017.

The Wake County, North Carolina man died suddenly during his stay at the Bahia Principe resort in Punta Cana.

His death was ruled a heart attack. But his daughter, Jenaye Davenport, later called into question the circumstances, saying, “It was just strange because he was in perfect health.”

Antonio Reyes

The Esmond Family. St. John, US Virgin Islands. March, 2015.

Delaware school administrator Steve Esmond and his two sons, Ryan and Sean, were seriously sickened by pesticides and left unconscious in their luxury villa in the US Virgin Island of St. John.

Steve Esmond was left paralyzed and unable to speak more than a year later, and the boys were left unconscious for more than a month.

The pest control firm Terminix agreed to pay the family $87 million because the poison sprayed by their workers has been banned.

Monica Beresford-Redman. Cancún, Mexico. April 2010.

The 41-year-old wife of former “Survivor” producer Bruce Beresford-Redman was beaten and strangled to death while vacationing with her family at the posh Moon Palace resort.

The couple had taken the trip with the goal of working on their marriage — but her naked body was found dumped naked into a sewage tank at the hotel.

In 2015, her husband was convicted of her murder in Mexico.

Monica Beresford-Redman

Ben and Catherine Mullany. Antigua, 2008.

The 31-year-old couple from Pontardawe, Wales, were both fatally shot in the back of their heads at a luxurious beachside hotel room while on their honeymoon.

The assailant robbed them of a digital camera, cash and mobile phone before fleeing.

 Catherine, a doctor, died instantly and Ben, a former police officer, died a week later. In July 2011, Kaniel Martin and Avie Howell were sentenced to life in prison for their murders.

Ben and Catherine Mullany

Natalee Holloway. Aruba, May 2005

The Alabama teen went missing while on a high school graduation trip with friends in a disappearance that captivated the country for years.

Despite a slew of theories and even reported “sightings,”  the case remains unsolved, and her body was never found.

A man who has been linked to her killing, Joran van der Sloot, is now serving a 28-year behind bars in Peru for the slaying of another young woman.

Natalee Holloway

Robbie and Michael Phillips, and Vincent Chiarella. Exuma, Bahamas. May 2022.

The Phillips, who hail from Tennessee, were discovered dead in a villa at the luxury Sandals Emerald Bay resort after seeking medical treatment for feeling sick.

Vincent Chiarella, 64, of Florida also died under mysterious circumstances in a separate nearby villa at the hotel the same night. His wife was left seriously ill and hospitalized.

Robbie and Michael Phillips

The cause has not yet been determined. Police said blood samples have been taken from all the victims and sent to a lab in Philadelphia for toxicology tests.

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Miami Herald

A crime surge led to U.S. travel warnings. These Caribbean destinations are pushing back

T he governments of Jamaica and The Bahamas, pushing back against a recent advisory by the U.S. State Department warning Americans visiting both places to be aware of violent crimes — including a wave of recent killings — insist that the island nations remain safe for tourists.

“Not withstanding the advisory, Jamaica remains not only a desirable destination but a safe and secure destination for international visitors,” Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told the Miami Herald. “Sometimes, the unintended consequences of policies is they cause great harm and damage to the stability and safety of other countries.”

The State Department issued updated travel advisories for both countries last month. Though the risk levels did not change, the update came amid a killing spree in The Bahamas, where there were 18 killings since the start of the year. Jamaica had 33 homicides in the first 13 days of this year. The risk level remains at 3 for Jamaica — “Reconsider Travel” — and Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” for The Bahamas. The highest risk level is 4, “Do Not Travel.”

Both travel advisories have language warning visitors that sexual assaults, armed robberies and other violent crimes are common.

“Similar to The Bahamas, we are aware of instances regarding U.S. citizen victims of violent crime, but are unable to comment on this further due to privacy considerations,” the spokesperson said about Jamaica.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force later said that despite the double-digit killings, homicides in Jamaica were actually trending down compared to the same time last year.

The Jamaica Tourist Board said the crime rate against visitors to Jamaica remains extremely low at 0.01%, while Bartlett noted that 42% of the island’s visitors are returning tourists. “We have a 42 percent repeat business, which tells you that of the 4.1 million who visited last year, 42 percent have been to Jamaica before.”

He acknowledged, however, that there are “imperfections” in the country, which is struggling to build a strong economic base to enable its citizens to enjoy a higher standard of living while also marketing itself as a premier Caribbean destination.

The travel alert for Jamaica has been at Level 3 since March 14, 2022. Before that it was Level 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was previously set at Level 2 on December 13, 2021.

“We are committed to working on our areas of imperfection and to ensure that where we see weaknesses like in some of the areas indicated, as our economy improves, and our resources allow, we will solve all our health and social problems,” Bartlett said.

On Jan. 24, a day after the State Department reissued its Jamaica travel alert, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau also issued a security warning for American travelers.

U.S. citizens considering visiting the Bahamas were advised to be aware that “18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024. Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets. Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders.”

The day after the alert, The Bahamas tourism minister and deputy prime minister, Isaac Chester Cooper, visited Tallahassee to pitch the archipelago as a destination to the leadership of the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters’ “Alpha Day on the Hill.” Alpha Phi Alpha is a historically Black Fraternity.

Since the travel alert was reissued for The Bahamas, there have been two more homicides, including a woman who was killed during a triple shooting on Ragged Island Street in Nassau on Thursday evening. The Nassau Guardian reported that the killing happened just as members of the House of Assembly were debated amendments to the Bail Act in an effort to tackle this year’s soaring murder rate, which Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said led to a “tragic start” to 2024.

Separately, police are investigating two separate complaints of sexual assaults against two people visiting The Bahamas, a 30-year-old Mexican woman and an 81-year-old Canadian woman. The incidents occurred on Paradise Island after the U.S. alert.

Davis has blamed the outbreak of violence on a series of gang retaliations. Despite this, he said in a statement that “the incidents described in the January 2024 U.S. embassy crime alert do not reflect general safety in The Bahamas, a country of 16 tourism destinations, and many more islands.”

The Bahamas, which had 9 million visitors last year, is taking steps to address the increase in crime, he said, and the government remains “alert, attentive and proactive to ensure that The Bahamas remains a safe and welcoming destination.” Davis said the country’s rating remains at a Level 2 “alongside most tourism destinations.”

A State Department spokesperson confirmed that its Level 2 advisory for The Bahamas hasn’t changed since the country was temporarily placed at Level 3 during the COVID pandemic. However, language was included in the new update about water safety. In both December and January, visiting U.S. tourists were attacked by sharks.

“We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas,” the spokesperson said. “We take seriously our commitment to provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable information so they can make informed travel decisions.”

In both The Bahamas and Jamaica travel advisories, the State Department notes that the high homicide rate is primarily affecting the local population. It has listed several Jamaican neighborhoods as high risk.

Caribbean islands are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for gangs armed by an influx of illegal weapons. Lacking training and equipment for their police forces, tourism-dependent islands often find themselves outgunned.

In response, governments have sought to pass tougher gun legislation and have asked the U.S. and Canada for help. Some island governments have looked for assistance regionally. After a wave of fatal shootings in the Turks and Caicos, the British overseas territory called on the neighboring Bahamas and others to deploy police officers to assist its small force. On Thursday, the Royal Turks and Caicos Police confirmed that two men were shot dead at a popular plaza on Leeward Highway.

In a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley, whose oil-rich country is also struggling to control violence , said there’s a need for better regional security cooperation along with a crackdown on firearms trafficking. Rowley also raised the issues in a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Montego Bay in Jamaica is a popular tourist location in the Caribbean nation, which like other countries is struggling to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel advisory issued for Jamaica as Americans plan Spring Break, summer vacations

tourist dead in jamaica

You may want to reconsider visiting Jamaica.

That’s the warning from the State Department, which is flagging crime and health concerns in the popular Caribbean destination. 

In a travel advisory issued last week, the State Department said: “Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. (And) local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.”

In the event of an emergency, the State Department also warned “high level or specialized” health care may not be available across the island nation, and patients may be required to pay for medical care up front.

Is it safe to travel to Jamaica?

The State Department is only asking travelers to reconsider visiting Jamaica. It has not advised Americans to avoid the country, but it does outline some high-risk areas, which certain U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to due to risk of crime. 

Those areas include but are not limited to all of Montego Bay, downtown Kingston, part of St. Ann’s Parish near Ocho Rios, and certain neighborhoods in Negril.

Which countries require tourist visas (including some the government wants you to avoid)

What do I need to know before traveling to Jamaica?

Travelers are advised to be aware of their surroundings, to keep a low profile and to avoid public buses, walking or driving at night, secluded situations and resisting attempts at robbery in Jamaica.

Americans are further encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies.

Additionally, in bold font, the advisory adds, “We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance , including medical evacuation insurance , before traveling to Jamaica,” as many health care providers overseas won’t accept U.S. health insurance, and neither Medicare nor Medicaid benefits apply abroad.

Jamaica Observer

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Two shot, one fatally, in front a funeral home in Westmoreland

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Westmoreland continues to bleed as one man was shot dead and another injured in front of a funeral home on Dalling Street, Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland on Saturday.

Observer Online understands that the deceased man lives in the community.

Preliminary reports are that the now-deceased man was riding his bike with a male pillion, believed to be in his 30s, when they were shot.

Earlier on Saturday, Observer Online reported that a 16-year-old waitress was shot dead allegedly by her ex-boyfriend after a male companion accompanied her home from work in Little London in the parish.

READ: 16-y-o shot dead allegedly by ex-boyfriend in Westmoreland

– Kimberley Peddie

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tourist dead in jamaica

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Police suspect U.S. couple are dead after their boat was hijacked in the Caribbean

The Associated Press

tourist dead in jamaica

The yacht "Simplicity", that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, on Friday. Kenton X. Chance/AP hide caption

The yacht "Simplicity", that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, on Friday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A U.S. couple whose catamaran was hijacked last week in the Caribbean by three escaped prisoners were presumed dead and likely had been thrown into the ocean, police said Monday.

The accounts by police in Grenada and in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were a blow to those who were independently helping search for Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel and had hoped they were alive.

Don McKenzie, commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a news conference that the three prisoners escaped on Feb. 18 from the South Saint George Police Station. They hijacked the catamaran Simplicity on the following day and then headed to St. Vincent, where they were arrested last Wednesday, he said.

"Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, they disposed of the occupants," McKenzie said.

McKenzie said he had no conclusive proof that the couple was dead but cited a "low probability" they were alive.

Jamaica and the Bahamas are pushing back against U.S. travel warnings

Jamaica and the Bahamas are pushing back against U.S. travel warnings

Hours later, the main spokesman for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force posted a video saying that while no bodies have been found, the couple is presumed dead based on the investigation so far.

Police report signs of violence aboard the abandoned boat

The suspects were being investigated for several criminal acts, including "bodily harm to the couple," spokesman Junior Simmons said in the brief recorded statement. There were signs of violence on the couple's boat found abandoned in St. Vincent, he said.

"Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin, and a red substance that resembles blood was seen on board," he said.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association has said that Hendry and Brandel were "veteran cruisers" and longtime members of the association, calling them "warm-hearted and capable."

It said the couple had sailed the yacht in last year's Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

A son of Hendry and a son of Brandel did not immediately return messages for comment.

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for the couple's family noted that Brandel had recently become a first-time grandmother, and that the sailing community was "shattered" by what happened.

"Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters," the page stated.

A massive search for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico coast has been called off

A massive search for 3 missing American sailors off Mexico coast has been called off

McKenzie, Grenada's police commissioner, said a five-person team was sent to St. Vincent to help with the investigation.

After his brief announcement on Monday, McKenzie and other police officials took questions from local media, including one reporter who asked, "Who is really to be blamed for this massive failure to keep these prisoners under the control of the (Royal Grenada Police Force) which has now resulted in this tragedy?"

The prisoners' escape is being investigated

McKenzie said police have launched an investigation into the escape and are looking into whether it was "a system failure" or a case of a "slip up."

"All aspects of that investigation are on the table," he said, adding that the police holding station where the three men were being held has "sufficient safety to prevent an incident like that (from) occurring."

When the reporter asked why the three men who were arrested remained in a holding cell instead of prison, Vannie Curwen, assistant police commissioner, said the men first had to see a magistrate who would decide whether to grant bail or order them remanded.

The escaped prisoners, Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; were charged a couple of months ago with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm, police in Grenada said.

Simmons said the three men appeared in court in St. Vincent on Monday and pleaded guilty to four counts each of immigration-related charges, including entering the island as a "prohibited immigrant" with no passport. They are scheduled to be sentenced on those charges in March.

IMAGES

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  3. Over 200 tourist killed in Jamaica...(Shocking)

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  4. 😂 Tourist killed in jamaica 2017. Tourists Warned Not to Leave Resorts

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  5. Brit tourist shot dead at guesthouse where he was staying in Jamaica

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  6. 😂 Tourist killed in jamaica 2017. Too many deaths in paradise: Jamaica

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    June 22, 2023. By. The Jamaican police are investigating the death of an American woman who was found dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker from West Palm Beach, Florida. Reports are that Roker arrived on the island on Tuesday and met up with a male ...

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