Jamaica: Double murder of businessman, Italian wife in Negril

Negril is stumbling from yesterday’s double murder of a businessman and his Italian wife in the famous tourist resort town, which is covered under a tri-parish state of emergency in Hanover, Westmoreland, and St James.

The deceased couple has been identified as Osbourne Richards, 49, and his 45-year-old wife, Patrizia Richards. They were found with their hands tied with electrical cord and items of clothing in their West End home.

“Based on what the investigators have seen at the location, we believe it was a robbery,” said Superintendent Robert Gordon, the commanding officer for Westmoreland. “The place was ransacked, and we know that a television set and a large refrigerator were taken from the house.

“We are following effective leads, and we are hoping to make an arrest shortly,” added Gordon, who recently replaced the newly promoted Senior Superintendent Gary McKenzie as head of the Westmoreland Police Division.

According to reports, approximately 12:35 a.m., unknown assailants broke into the house and stabbed the couple. It is unclear what happened inside, but residents reportedly heard shots being fired.

When the police visited the location, the couple’s blood-soaked bodies were found inside the house with their hands tied and their bodies penetrated with multiple bullets.

The brutal killing, which ended a short but welcome period of peace under the ongoing SOE, has left residents and business interest in the famous seaside town in shock, as many had felt that increased police and military presence would have provided enhanced security.

Yesterday’s double murder is the second major shooting incident in Westmoreland in just under 48 hours.