Accused murderer Joelah Hepburn aka Jolan Hepburn, on Thursday, ignored the pleas of the relatives of the woman he is accused of murdering to tell them where her body is.
Hepburn arrived at the Serious Offences Court under heavy police guard to hear a charge that on a date unknown between Nov. 8 and 25, 2025, in the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he caused the death of Lyda Adams, of Barrouallie, by an unlawful act.
Adams aka Sherika, 36, of Keartons, Barrouallie, is the mother of a 9-year-old boy and was six months pregnant when she was last seen by her family on Nov. 8, when she left her home before 7 a.m., saying she was going to see a doctor.
However, CCTV footage showed her disembarking a ferry around 8:56 a.m. that day in Bequia, where Hepburn, a Byera resident, worked.
Police have brought the murder charge against Hepburn, although they have not recovered a body.
“Please let us know where Sherika is. We need Sherika to bury. Please, let us know where Sherika is,” one of Adams’ female relatives shouted at Hepburn outside the Serious Offences Court after he exited an unmarked police vehicle.
“Jolan, mek you wicked so? Murder!” the woman shouted as Adams’ mother, Viola Adams, started to cry.
“We want Sherita to bury,” the woman screamed as Adams’ mother complained that Hepburn had hidden his face as he walked towards the courtroom so people could not see who he was.
In a later interaction outside the court, Adams pleaded with a detective to try to find her daughter’s remains, adding that that is the only way she would get closure.
“Even if it’s her bones,” the mother said, as the officer said that investigators are trying their best.
Meanwhile, Chief Magistrate Colin John read the murder charge to Hepburn, who told the court that his lawyer, Michael Wyllie, was absent as he was attending another court.
The magistrate explained to the accused that the absence of his lawyer would not have made a difference in the proceeding, as he was not allowed to plead to the charge at that stage and that bail was not open to him at that point.
The prosecutor, Inspector of Police Renrick Cato, said for a two-month adjournment to allow investigators to complete their files.
However, the magistrate ordered that the matter be recalled on Jan. 12, 2026, for a status update.
Hepburn was remanded in prison until his next court appearance.
Detective Corporal 502 Millington of the Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
Omg people really wicked like that a woman who have another life inside her u take d both of them life like they are animals how would you sleep at night what if it was yo own child omg father god đ we calling on u for justice for this one
Michael Wyllie is not this manâs lawyer.
You should pick it up since yo like pick up case!