International assistance for Antigua honeymoon murder

Dr. Catherine Mullany and her newlywed husband, Ben

A press release from Scotland Yard stated, “The Metropolitan Police will be sending a team of [five] officers to Antigua today. The team, which will include one officer from South Wales police, will support the local senior investigating officers”.

The announcement came four days after Antigua’s Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer publicly stated that, “we need the help of not only every citizen and resident, but we need the help of our international partners” in finding the murder(s) of the vacationing South Wales couple, who were killed in their room at the Coscos Hotel and Restaurant.

While members of the island’s Police Force have thoroughly questioned two security guards who were working at the hotel at the time of the incident and a reported “drifter” who had taxied the couple around the island during their trip, no suspects have been named in the internationally covered case.

Gary Nelson, Antigua’s recently appointed Canadian police commissioner has stated that his force has not been able to discover a lead in the case due to “a lack of resources” and a “culture of silence,” which has prevented potential witnesses from coming forward with information.

Police and tourism stakeholders had hoped earlier in the week that an EC$250 000 reward for information leading to an arrest would draw out information in spite of the cultural distrust of the police.

“It’s a culture we’re trying to break, but I don’t know how successful we’re going to be. Nobody trusts the police so they won’t talk to the police. It’s a small island and there are people out there who know who did this,” said Antigua’s Assistant Commissioner, Ron Scott.   ~~Adz:Left~~

Mr. and Mrs. Mullany were attacked on the last night of their honeymoon, Sunday, July 27 at 4:55 a.m. while asleep their room. It is suspected that the attack was an attempted robbery that went wrong.

Mrs. Mullany was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime due to a gunshot wound to the head. Her body is expected to be accompanied back to Wales by her parents within the next few days.

Mr. Mullany, who remains in a coma due to a bullet lodged in his brain, was flown Saturday morning by air ambulance to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, Wales after doctors in Antigua  had declared him “brain dead”.

According to British medicine, brain death can only be declared after two independent specialists have conducted several tests.

British surgeons have stated that Mr. Mullany still stands a chance of recovery depending on where and how deep the bullet is within his brain.