Family hands in St James murder suspect

ST MARY, Jamaica—A man wanted in connection with the death of his American girlfriend surrendered to police on Friday, May 15, after family members intervened to bring him in safely.

Thirty-one-year-old Dane Watson had been on the run since April 29 when 42 y-o Melissa Sammoth of New York was found with multiple injuries at Cornwall Regional hospital.

She was later pronounced dead.

Police said Watson had taken Sammoth to the hospital before leaving her there.

Investigators believe Watson fled the parish and had been hiding in the Gayle community in St Mary. Fearing for his safety, he contacted family members who reached out to the Gayle police. After coordination with law enforcement, Watson was handed over to investigators.

Watson remains in custody as investigations continue into Sammoth’s death. Police say they are working to establish the full circumstances leading up to the incident.

The case has drawn attention both locally and internationally, given Sammoth’s New York address.