Mentally ill man found brutally murdered on pathway to his home

A 64-year-old St Mary labourer was found dead along a pathway leading to his home, with police reporting that his body had what appeared to be chop wounds, severe burns and an almost severed wrist.

Dead is Clifton Campbell, a labourer of Donnington District, Gayle, St Mary.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Branch in Gayle are probing what they have described as the unprovoked killing of Campbell, which they believe may have occurred between August 31 and September 3.

Police said Campbell, who was said to be mentally unstable, lived alone in a two-bedroom board house and was last seen alive about 5 p.m. on August 31 by Olive Byfield, a 55-year-old shopkeeper of the same address.

Concern reportedly grew after Campbell's younger brother, Morris Campbell, a farmer of Pembrook Hall, Gayle, had not seen him.

Morris reportedly went to check on his brother and, while making his way to the house, discovered Campbell's body lying face down along a pathway leading to the property.

Anthony Wallace, head of the St Mary police division, said the police were contacted and found the body in a disturbing condition.

“While on his way to the now deceased man’s house, he discovered the body of the victim lying face down along a pathway that leads to his house,” Wallace said.

“The police was contacted and on their arrival the deceased was seen lying face down with what appeared to be burnt marks all over his body. The body was also in a state of decomposition,” he added.

According to Wallace, Campbell was clad in dark-coloured pants and shoes.

The body also had what appeared to be chop wounds to the neck and back, while his right wrist was almost severed.

Police also observed an area close to the body which appeared to have been freshly lit.

Campbell's body was later taken by porters from St Michael's Funeral Home to Port Maria Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

It was subsequently transported to St Michael's Funeral Home for storage pending a post-mortem examination.

Following the discovery, police carried out a targeted raid in Cox Piece in the parish.

During the operation, Dwight Campbell, who is believed to be a distant relative of the deceased, was interviewed and later taken into custody for murder.

His court date is being finalised as investigations continue.

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