Skeletal remains found in Discovery Bay

The St Ann police yesterday continued their investigations into Monday’s discovery of skeletal remains which they believe are of a woman who went missing in October 2019 in Discovery Bay in the parish.

The remains are believed to be that of 28-year-old Sheynae Reid of Queens Heights, Discovery Bay, after several documents with her name and images were found close by.

Reid, a waitress, went missing after leaving work but failing to reach home. Reports later emerged that suggested she had gone to meet someone about another job.

Police say that about 8 a.m. on Monday, several persons were hunting crabs in the Dairy area of Discovery Bay when they stumbled upon several documents bearing Reid’s name and images.

Both police and family members were notified and during a search of the area, the skeletal remains were found, along with clothing, a handbag and a pair of shoes. A DNA test is pending.

85 per cent increase

The discovery of the remains coincides with the release of crime figures from the police that show that St Ann had the highest jump across all police divisions in Jamaica in murders for the period January 1 to May 2.

Since the start of 2020, St Ann has recorded 24 murders, up from 13 last year, an 85 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2019. Shootings have also increased by 100 per cent from nine to 18 this year.

The latest case of shooting was reported last Saturday when Earl Kennedy, a 71-year-old farmer of Frank Hall, near Cave Valley, was shot and injured by unknown assailants. Investigations continue.

Shocked by the rise in murders and shootings, Vana Taylor, president of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber would again be writing to Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson, requesting more resources for the parish’s lawmen.

She noted that when the group initially wrote to Anderson, he gave additional vehicles and manpower.

“Based on what’s happening now, I guess we will forward the request to the commissioner again, from both the St Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association - Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay Chapter, for his response, and to now say that we really think that additional resources again are needed in light of the current statistics,” she said. Taylor also commended the St Ann police for “doing a wonderful job with the resources that they have.”