Police make big break in beheadings case

Seeking to allay public concerns caused by a spate of gruesome murders in recent weeks, the police yesterday reported that they have made "substantial progress" in their investigation of the crimes.

The biggest breakthrough, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Ealan Powell, came with the arrest of three men linked to the beheading of two women in Lauriston, St Catherine, on July 20.

Powell, who is also the head of the Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), revealed that the three were picked up "within the last week", and said they would be formally charged by the end of this week.

He said the men were being interviewed by investigators, but said no motive has been established for the shocking slayings.

Powell said the police were also pursuing six other men believed to be involved in the midnight attack in which Charmaine Rattray, 40, and her daughter Joeith Lynch, 19, were decapitated.

"The police have been robustly investigating these murders. We have been following all leads and analysing intelligence and information as best as possible," Powell said.

Nineteen-year-old Scott Thomas, also of Lauriston, St Catherine, and 37-year-old Gary Smith, of Bedford Gardens in east rural St Andrew, were also beheaded in separate incidents that week.

Society in fear

The police conceded, during a press conference at the Office of the Commissioner of Police in St Andrew yesterday, that the killings have created "fear and anxiety" within the society.

However, Novelette Grant, assistant commissioner of police in charge of the Area Five Division, said the progress being made in the case demonstrates the strong resolve of the police, and urged members of the public to come forward with information.

"We want to take this opportunity to assure members of the public that we will continue to do our work fearlessly and diligently, and with due respect to the rights of all," Grant told reporters.