A photo of 53-year-old Michael William King and his 57-year-old wife Thelma. - contributed

A security guard believed to be from Jamaica and his girlfriend from the Dominican Republic were early yesterday arrested in connection with the murder of two American visitors to the island of St Maarten, late last week.

The suspects were held during a raid carried out by local police in the Cay Bay area of the island but are yet to be charged.

Information obtained by THE STAR says the police carried out the raid about 3 a.m. and the suspect and his girlfriend detained about an hour later.

On Friday, the bodies of 53-year-old Michael William King and his 57-year-old wife Thelma were discovered at a house they are believed to own at the Ocean Club Resort, in an area of the island known as Cupecoy. The woman's body was found tied to a chair while that of her husband was found on the floor and partially over a chair. Both bodies had what appeared to be stab wounds.

As news of the murders spread, it was greeted by shock on the island where violent crime rarely occurs. "I am shocked at learning what has occurred on our island nation. St. Maarten is and will always be a nation that is close knit and where people from all over the world come to visit and live. Therefore I am in deep distress upon learning about the horrible acts which have tainted our country," said Prime Minister Sarah Wescott Williams in a statement released on Friday in reaction to news of the murders. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the couple found murdered at the Ocean Club in St Maarten. Since the incident is still under investigation, we cannot comment about the details at this time, but we can assure you that every government resource is being brought into play to investigate and solve this case.

A team of 25 investigators has been deployed to the case as the island desperately engages in damage control. However, there is no clear indication that a motive has been established even though some sources are suggesting that the couple was robbed.

A post-mortem on the couple is scheduled to be conducted today.