St Kitts and Nevis: TWO charged with Leanna Napoleon's murder

Two suspects taken into custody on suspicion of the murder of Leanna Napoleon have been arrested, formally charged and cautioned.

Police in St Kitts and Nevis have named the pair as Brandon Lee Wells, 19, and Travien Liddie, 18.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of another man, 19-year-old Ivan “Chinyman” Phillip of Shadwell, who will also be charged with murder.

Leanna, a 17-year-old Basseterre High School student, went missing on 8 May shortly after sitting an exam.

It is understood that Brandon Lee Wells is Leanna’s older brother.

No other information – including how Leanna died, or what took police to the shallow grave last week – has been revealed.

Beginning of closure

Leanna is St Kitts and Nevis’ 15th reported murder victim of 2017 – and the third female.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Andre Mitchell, head of the Crime Directorate, said: “I want to commend all the investigators on this case, the volunteers who assisted with the searches and the community for sharing what information they may have had.

“We followed every lead, the outcome was not what we hoped for, but the discovery gives the family and friends a starting point for healing.”

ACP Mitchell encouraged the public to please refrain from the temptation of sharing rumours.

“The police will be forthcoming with the information we can provide in due course,” he added.

After police confirmed that Leanna’s body had been discovered, politicians from both sides of the house expressed their condolences.

Prime Minister Timothy Harris said: “The loss of Leanna is her family’s loss, and it is also the nation’s loss. The death of a young person, in particular, is most significant and traumatic.”

Opposition leader Denzil Douglas said: “It has been a very, very sad day for us in St Kitts and Nevis,” he said.