Murder suspect turns himself in, road death in St. Mary, Bethlehem killing, and ODPM aid spending questioned

A 31-year-old man wanted in connection with the killing of his American girlfriend handed himself over to police on Friday, 15 May, after relatives helped arrange a safe surrender.

Dean Watson had been sought since 29 April, when 42-year-old Melissa Samnoth of New York was found with multiple injuries at Cornwall Regional Hospital and later pronounced dead. Investigators said Watson took Samnoth to the hospital and then left. Police believe he left St. James and had been hiding in the Gil community in St. Mary. Watson contacted family members, who liaised with police in Gil before he was turned over to investigators. He remains in custody while enquiries continue. The case has drawn local and overseas attention because of Samnoth’s New York ties.

In St. Mary, 28-year-old Anil Tavaris, widely known as Philly, died on Thursday, 14 May, after he was struck by a motor truck while walking along Huddersfield Main Road around 8:45 p.m. Police said Tavaris stepped into the path of a westbound Toyota Hiace truck, suffered severe injuries, and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver stayed at the scene. St. Mary police renewed appeals for motorists and pedestrians to slow down, stay alert, and use safe walking areas, noting that narrow roads with limited lighting need extra care at night. Investigations continue.

St. Elizabeth police are hunting a suspect after a dispute in Whitehall Square, Bethlehem, on Friday left 61-year-old farmer Ratcliffe Alco dead. About 3:15 p.m., a man reportedly confronted another person at a shop over a family property matter, became increasingly angry, and fought with him. After being overpowered and leaving, the suspect is said to have returned with a machete. Alco approached in an effort to calm him and was chopped in the face. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. The machete was seized from the suspect, who then fled.

At the St. James Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on Thursday, People’s National Party minority leader Michael Troop linked recent police-related deaths in his Granville division to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s 2025 remark that wrongdoers would meet a judge or their maker. Troop cited the January police killings of a four-year-old child and a 17-year-old boy shot on Mother’s Day, and called for the statement to be withdrawn. Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon challenged him on whether people with illegal guns should be given chances. Troop said officers must defend themselves if attacked, but that a detained 17-year-old could face court and eventually return to society. Government Senator Charles Sinclair rejected the link to the prime minister’s comment, saying it was made in February 2025 after the return of deportees and urged Jamaicans not to attack police, who have a right to defend themselves. He pointed to internal Jamaica Constabulary Force processes and INDECOM for complaints. Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels reported 26 murders in the parish since the start of the year and said every life lost is regretted, whether through murder or when someone attacks police and officers respond.

In Parliament, the opposition said Holness must answer for the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s slow use of hurricane donations. Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis said that up to April the ODPM had spent only about $26 million, or 1.8%, of roughly $1.44 billion donated after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa struck on 28 October 2025. The agency said low cash spending reflected prudent management given nearly $400 million in donated building materials and supplies already supporting government-led roof repairs. Opposition spokesperson Dr. Angela Brown Burke blamed weak leadership and cited underspending on aid linked to Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, arguing political interference played a part and demanding accountability from those in charge, starting with the prime minister.