(Charlestown, Nevis- Feb.19,2007) The following is a statement made by the ~~adz:Left~~Premier of Nevis,  the Honourable Joseph Parry,  in the wake of the untimely deaths of Shermel Phillip and Michael Herald Sutton. This statement was recorded at the NIA Conference Room at Bath Hotel by Choice FM and Nevis Television (NTV) on Monday, February 19, 2007.  

Listeners/viewers to these services first heard this statement yesterday, Monday Feb. 19th.  The statement will be rebroadcast from both media houses at different times to be announced during the course of this week.    
                                    
All Nevisians, residents and visitors were shocked at the news of the brutal killing of a young woman, Mrs Shermel Phillip on Friday last, at her home in Brown Hill.
 
By nature the people of Nevis are a Christian,  peacekeeping and loving people, with the greatest respect for human life.  All of us totally condemn this unnatural and outrageous act of brutality.
 
I know that at this time there is much grief in the country and especially among the family, extended families and friends of the deceased.
 
I, with my entire cabinet have visited the family of the deceased young lady.  I have been in regular contact with the police.  They are doing their investigations and I have confidence in their ability to do their work.  I therefore call on the general public to be calm to refrain from wild speculation and to provide any and every assistance to the police on this matter.
 
I wish at this time to record my governments deepest sympathy to Shermel's family, extended families, the Brown Hill community where she lived, and her co-workers at the Four Seasons Resort.
 
I call on all Nevisians and residents to continue to love, support and protect each other even while we mourn for Shermel.  I wish at this time too, to record my governments deepest sorrow at the passing of another young person, Mr. Herald Sutton.  I was informed of his death shortly after the news broke on Sunday afternoon.  ~~adz:Right~~
 
Herald was one of the most able musicians in the Federation.  He worked very hard, very constructively in the school system, played in the church, was part of a band and was very active in the community.
 
His death coming so soon after Shermel's has added further grief to that which had enveloped our island.
 
I extend my government's deepest sympathy to the Sutton family, the extended families and his many colleagues and friends.
 
As we mourn, let us reach out to one another in love.  Let us pray for each other and may God bless us all.  Thank you.