The 17-year-old female whose body was found in bushes over an embankment on Sunday morning was strangled.
A post mortem examination concluded that the teen, Kemeisha Haynes, of Murray’s Village, died of strangulation.
However, a source familiar with the case told iWitness News that what initially appeared to have been wounds on the body were bruises around the teen’s neck, presumably left by her killer.
Sources further indicate that the level of decomposition of the body suggested that Haynes may have been killed earlier than first thought.
There had been speculation that the teen might have died sometime on Saturday and her body dumped in the area overnight.
However, iWitness News understands that investigators are looking into the possibility that the teen might have been killed on Friday.
Detectives are said to be working especially hard to crack the case, which has several striking similarities to the death of Precious Williams, 17, of Sion Hill, whose body was found in a bag in Richmond Hill on May 12, 2022.
iWitness News understands that there were some apparent similarities in the teens’ lifestyle and some people have even noted that they had similar physiques.
On Monday, the teen’s mother, Sharlene Cozier told SVGTV that her daughter did not deserve to die as she did.
“I don’t know who would have the heart to do this,” she cried.
The mother said that on Friday she left Haynes at home sleeping and when she came back home, Haynes said she was going down the road and come back.
The mother said she gave Haynes $10.
“I never see her back. I just want justice for my child, please. That’s all I need. Anybody know anything, please come forward. Please. I beg you, please. One mother’s cry is all mother’s cry,” the woman bawled.
“Justice for Kemeisha, please. Please help me solve this crime. Please,” she said.
She said her daughter always liked to be on TikTok and dress nice.
“It’s just grief, just grief; just grief. I just wish I can see her,” the mother said.
In a statement on Tuesday, police said that the area where the body was found is Belmont — and not Fair Hallas had initially been reported.
The statement said that officers had opened an investigation into the discovery of the body.
“The body was discovered at approximately 7:00 am by a resident who later informed the Police,” the statement said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information that can assist with the investigation is asked to call Police Emergency at 999/911 or, the Calliaqua Police Station at 1784-458-4200 or any other police officer they are comfortable speaking with.
“Any information received will be treated confidentially,” police said.
Haynes’ death brings to 10 the number of people killed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines this year.
It also brings to three the number of female homicide victims.
On Feb. 1, in Rose Hall, Janae Samuel-Wright, 1, died after her throat was slit.
Police have charged, Jeremiah Samuel, 22, with murder in connection with the infant’s death. Samuel is said to have been displaying symptoms of mental illness at the time of the killing.
Then, on Feb. 14, Carona Themisha Petronia Jennings, 30 of Campen Park, died at her home after being stabbed multiple times.
Kayode Richardson, 18, of Campden Park was charged with murder in connection with Jennings’ death. Richardson is Jennings’ boyfriend’s nephew.
After becoming the nation’s chief crime fighter last year, acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey had vowed to crack the cases of the murder of Williams and Zarrel Veronica “Keisha” Small.
Small, of Pole Yard, found dead on the tarmac at the decommissioned E.T Joshua Airport in Arnos Vale, on Aug. 25, 2022, with a piece of conduit protruding from her vagina.
Authorities concluded that she died between Aug. 24 and 25, 2022.
On Dec. 29, 2023, police charged Rion “Pitbull” Cole, a 24-year-old labourer, of Paul’s Avenue, with the murder in connection with Small’s death.