Landlord’s body found in house during yard sale led by murder suspect
Published:Wednesday | January 15, 2025 | 10:49 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
A probe has been launched into the stabbing and strangulation murder of a landlord, allegedly committed by his tenant, at the property where they lived on Allerdyce Road in St Andrew.
The deceased man is 56-year-old Roger Evans, who was killed last Thursday around 2:30 a.m.
Investigators were, however, not made aware of the murder until later that day.
The Gleaner understands that the prime suspect, who is currently in custody, held a yard sale with the Evans’ belongings, during which his body was discovered inside the home.
A source told The Gleaner that the suspect is a member of a prominent Jamaican family.
According to the St Andrew North police, about 12:30 a.m., the suspect and the landlord were involved in an argument.
The Gleaner understands that the suspect reportedly waited until Evans retired to bed before he allegedly kicked in his bedroom door.
Evans was attacked and an electric iron used to deliver blows to his head inflicting wounds.
The body reportedly had stab wounds to the face and visible marks suggesting he was strangled.
WRAPPED IN A SHEET
The police indicated that later Thursday morning, the suspect went to the nearby Shortwood Road area, where he advertised the deceased man’s property, including his furniture, for sale.
During the yard sale, where a number of persons visited and allegedly made purchases, the suspect was asked if there were any bedroom items for sale.
“Interested persons unsuspectingly visited the ‘yard sale’ on invitation and when someone gained access to the bedroom, they stumbled on what was believed to be a body wrapped in a sheet. They left hastily and made a report to the police,” a source with knowledge of the probe told The Gleaner.
Notified of the discovery, the Grants Pen police conducted a search of the premises and found Evans’ body.
The investigation is ongoing.