Police are investigating what is suspected to be the island’s latest homicide – number 76 – following the discovery of a body in George V Park in Castries in the early hours of Monday morning.
A statement from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force identified the deceased as “Mark”, a homeless man.
His motionless body was found around 12:12 a.m. when officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department went to the scene following a report. There was a laceration to his face, police said, and he was taken to the Owen King European (OKEU) Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
If his death is confirmed as a homicide, the incident will push the count for the year so far to 76, with just over two weeks remaining in 2024.
Authorities are awaiting the results of a post-mortem to confirm the cause of death. However, initial observations indicate signs of foul play.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas told St. Lucia Times that it appeared the victim suffered blunt force trauma.
“I am not ruling out the fact that a firearm may have been used, but for now, it appears to be blunt force,” he said.
ACP Defreitas said police were uncertain about the motive for the attack on a man “who did some odd chores” in the Gros Islet area.
“It is difficult to understand why anyone would want to have taken the life of the gentleman. As far as we know, he’s not one who has really been in conflict with the law,” he said, as he appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could assist with the police investigations.
