BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AN elderly couple was this afternoon (Apr. 11) discovered dead in one of the bedrooms of their newly-constructed Half Moon Bay home.
Dead are James and Mildred Daniel, who, according to one of James’ nieces, were residing in England for a number of years and had returned to “live out their old in St. Kitts”.
“It is just about three months since they have moved into the building. They were living in England but they used to come to St. Kitts on a regular basis. It is only last week that I spoke to my uncle and now he is dead,” said the seemingly distraught niece.
Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Inspector Franklyn Belgrove told this media house that the police received a report that the couple was not heard of or seen for some time and a foul stench was emanating from their home.
“About 4:30 this afternoon, we got a report at the Basseterre Police Station alleging that Mr. James Daniel, who is about 77 years old, and his wife Mildred were not heard of or seen for some time and there was a stench coming from the house.
“So we responded, and when we got here we had to climb a balcony to get into the house through a window. When we got into the house, there were two bodies in the northeastern bedroom upstairs of the two-storied building. One was lying on the bed and the other was on the floor beside the bed. They were both in a semi-state of decomposition,” Belgrove said.
Belgrove noted that from all reports, the couple was last seen and heard from on Tuesday (Apr. 6).
“We also have reports where persons would have called since that time and also visited the house, but they got no response from them,” he added.
Asked if the police were working on the theory of murder, the Inspector said, “There were signs of injury…there was blood on both bodies and apparently they were gunshot injuries, because one spent warhead was found in the bedroom.”
Belgrove also said it seemed as if the perpetrator(s) had gained access to the house through one of the bedroom windows on the northeastern side of the building, because that was the only one they found open. He however could not determine if anything was missing from the house, but indicated that may be known after discussion with family members, as investigations are still underway.
This is the 12th homicide committed in the twin-island Federation for the year; eight on St. Kitts and four on Nevis.
