Dead is Matthew Joseph Murphy, 57, a U.S. citizen who had been living and working in St. Kitts for the past 10 months. Murphy’s body was discovered on December 30 in a cane field near Belmont Estate and the Rawlins Plantation at about 11:45 a.m. The body bore stab wounds to the torso.Police announced today that a suspect has been taken into custody for the stabbing death of a resident foreigner.
The suspect, who was apprehended yesterday, has yet to be charged. However, police confirmed that the individual “is likely to be charged with murder”.
According to police, the investigation is ongoing as evidence continues to be collected. Murphy’s relatives in Florida, USA have been notified of his passing.
“We deeply regret this terrible incident and we commit to pursue justice to the full extent of the law,” said Commissioner of Police CG Walwyn.
Police are urging “anyone with information of interest to come forward and speak to us at their earliest opportunity or call 869-662-2145. All information will be treated with confidentiality”.
Murphy is the Federation’s 34th murder victim for 2011; a record high for the twin-islands. His is also the second stabbing death to have occurred within a 6-day span. On Christmas Eve, 17-year-old Zamique Heyliger was stabbed to death in Nevis. A 16-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder.
(Source http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/2011/12/30/suspect-nabbed.html)
