St. James Husband Charged Over Death of New York Woman in Jamaica

A St. James man is facing a murder charge in connection with the death of his wife, 35-year-old Melissa Kerry Samnath, whose listed address was in New York, United States.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force identified the accused as Dane Watson. Police said he turned himself in to officers in St. Mary on Friday, after authorities alleged he had left St. James and was staying out of sight in the Gayle area following the incident.

Investigators said Watson took Samnath to Cornwall Regional Hospital on April 29. Police allege he helped her out of a motor vehicle at the hospital, then departed the facility a short time later.

Medical staff contacted the police after Samnath was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination carried out on May 6 concluded that she died from multiple blunt-force injuries to the head.

As detectives continued their enquiries, police said they went to a property in Norwood, St. James, where material considered important to the investigation was found. Watson was later listed as a person of interest in the killing of the US citizen.

Authorities subsequently alleged that Watson had fled St. James and was hiding in St. Mary. Reports say he reached out to relatives because of concerns for his safety, and they then worked with police in Gayle to organise his surrender.

St. Mary detectives took Watson into custody before he was moved back to St. James, where the murder charge was formally laid.

Police believe Samnath had come to Jamaica shortly before her death to mark her birthday. Investigators have not announced a motive, and the case remains under investigation.