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by pltm
(PLTM) - It’s a very hollow feeling inside, emotionally, that overtakes the lives of family members and friends whose loved ones continue to rest eternally in the great beyond, without any closure of their death coming to light in the physical realm. This in itself makes moving on far more difficult, as the killers still possibly run rampant on the streets; this is the sentiments of persons here within the British Virgin Islands, who continue to mourn the mysterious death of their loved ones.
The British Virgin Islands, though relatively small, has a very lengthy list of murders yet to be solved. With hope, patience and extensive prayers, persons continue to wait for the day when the culprits behind such fatalities are name and brought to justice. Until then, families and friends of victims on that list continue their efforts to keep their memories alive.
In a very emotional exchange with BVI Platinum News, mother of Kendoy Penn, the young prosecutor who was gunned down in East End in 2005, Aretha Maloney recalled the painful and emotional ride she endured following his death, and how she keeps his memories alive.
Still in shock and disbelief of her son’s death, Ms. Maloney said she is still confused as to the reasons why someone would commit such a crime against her son, as he was a friend of everyone.
At the time of the incident, she noted that she was off island and rushed back as soon as she possibly could to be at her son’s side.
“I couldn’t sleep. When I saw him in that bed (hospital), he looked like he had already died, but he was hooked up to a life support machine.”
In the midst of all that was happening, seeing her “baby” in such a position, she highlighted that, “It was God who kept me alive and strong. It was a moment I couldn’t bear and it continues to play on in my head.”
A teary eyed Ms. Maloney recalled an indescribable feeling, noting that the second her son died in front of her face, something dropped from her chest to her bowels, which caused her to scream as loud as she could.
“They asked me numerous times to pull the plug and I said no. I said the 23rd Psalms over him one night and he died. I never understood and can’t explain the feeling after that.”
Not a day goes by without her thinking about her son, noting, “It happened 11 years ago, but it feels like just yesterday. I miss him dearly.”
She noted that his death is particularly difficult on the anniversary of his death, birthdays and Christmas time.
“I always cry on those days and sometimes on random nights. I have photos of him all around the house. We have memorials for him on the day he died. I keep his room as if he is still alive; bed always made with his clothes in the closet. Nobody has ever slept in his room since he died.”
She highlighted that the fact that his murder is still unsolved is a painful one to her, adding that her son’s matter needs justice and the culprit needs to be punished.
“I always pray, night and day, and I still believe someone will come forward for it. Police always came around, but never had any new information to give. They said they had leads, but never any evidence.”
Ms. Maloney added, “I continue to trust God and would tell others to trust him. There is nothing else to say.”
Other families are guided by the same faith as Ms. Maloney. The life of Edread ‘Beef’ Stoutt, who was brutally gunned down in 2008, continues to live on through his family and close friends.
His matter, which is also one listed among the Territory’s unsolved matters, is one that still haunts his best friend Natasha Cambridge and sister Latoya Williams, among other family members.
Beef died shortly after Natasha’s birthday, on the very evening they were to meet up for drinks. With a memory of this nature, Natasha noted it as the worst experience of her life.
“It was a terrible feeling for me when I got the call and even worse when the pictures began to circulate. I still see them in my head and it gets harder everyday with him not being here. He was my best friend and even a father to my son.”
Following his death, she expressed that her life has never been the same, as she has never opened up to someone as she did with Beef, and has refrained from having friends.
“My life change drastically. I haven’t allowed anyone to be close to me like that again. It definitely opened my mind to friends; I distance myself from everyone. It’s not that one person who lost their life; they took the lives of the people around him as well. He was a good guy.”
Beef was noted to be the protector of his family and with his death, the dynamics of his family changed, according to his sister Latoya, who is still shocked over his death.
She recalled that the communication with the local police force at the time was a dead end, but the family remained hopeful and did as much as they could over the years to remember his life.
“We just dealt with it; the fact that he is no longer here. It's gets hard around the day he dies and his birthdays, but we manage to get by with the good memories of him.”
She shared that it is now a family custom to visit his grave site on his birthdays and to stay home from work on the day he died, every year.
Latoya added that with violence, specifically gun crimes so prevalent in the Territory, her brother’s death is on constant replay in her head.
“When I hear a family lose a loved one through gun violence, it’s a difficult time and it really takes a toll on me, knowing we’ve been through it. But you just have to focus on the good times you have. It's reality, people do die, not always the most natural way, but you just have to focus on the good times.”
These sentiments were also shared by Akeem Bienheureux, whose brother Lovell Parker was gunned down in 2008. This incident was even more challenging to revisit, as Akeem was the one who found his brother in a pool of blood.
“It’s not [a nice feeling], especially knowing that you don’t have that person to talk to when you need advice or the right words to keep you going. It hurts knowing the bond you have and not being able to speak to that one person who understands you.”
As the unsolved murder cases in the BVI continue to grow, with the crime situation getting worse, BVI Platinum News approached Commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Matthews on the matter. He noted that investigations are always ongoing and matters will be closed as soon as strong evidence to arrest the culprits arise.
“Any unsolved murder cases are always live and we never give up on seeking justice for victims and their families. Many investigations by their very nature can be complex and drawn out, often relying on specialist forensic examinations that have to be undertaken outside of the Territory.”
Commissioner Matthews added, “When I took up post in April 2016, I informed the media that I would be looking to develop a cold case review capability within the force to look back at the more historic cases, with a fresh set of eyes and also to consider whether modern techniques now available, such as DNA identification, etc., may assist in such cases where it was not available before.”
In this regard, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has now commenced their cold case review work under the command of DCI Rob Hazel, recently appointed from the UK.
Sometime this year, he noted a further senior detective with extensive criminal investigation experience will also join the team and have responsibility to work on the reviews of older unsolved cases.
“It should be noted that we continue to appeal to witnesses to come forward in relation to any unsolved murder cases, no matter how old. I am confident that such witnesses do exist, but they are unfortunately reluctant to support the force in dealing with such offenses. It is my hope that in time, some individuals will stand up for what is right and recognize their responsibilities to the victims, families and the communities as a whole in this regard. To be clear, the RVIPF will never give up seeking to identify those who commit the most serious of crimes in this Territory and remain committed to keeping all of our communities safe.”
