Johnny Caines Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department said Friday that body remains found decomposed in bushes near the roadside in Mount Welcome just east of Sharkey’s Bait Stand on Oct. 20, could possibly be the remains of Johnny E. Caines, age 65, who was reported missing on October 18.
However, before stating anything conclusive, Police Commander Lieutenant Naomi Joseph said the police department was awaiting DNA results. "In terms of Mr. Caines, we've found some remains that we believe might be him, but we're waiting for DNA analysis to be completed to verify that it's in fact him," she said Friday while speaking during a V.I.P.D. press conference where St. Croix District law enforcement leaders updated the community on the results of directed patrols, operations, and investigations on the island.
She further stated that the death appeared to be a result of natural causes and not foul play, which had been a suspicion following the arrest of a man who was charged with obtaining money under false pretense and forgery. According to police spokesman Toby Derima, Michael T. Conklin, age 50 was observed on video surveillance using a bank card belonging to Mr. Caines. However, a police source had told the Consortium that Mr. Conklin said he saw a parked car, went inside of it and took the bank card.
"The remains that we found was autopsied and it seems to be a natural cause," said Commander Joseph. "So the individual that we found died of natural causes; there was no particular [evidence] of homicide in the remains that was discovered in the area that his car was, and that's why we believe it may be him but we need to verify because he was decomposed..."
Mr. Caines was last seen on Oct. 15.
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