Mugshot of Yandal Rates. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — Police on Wednesday arrested a Frederiksted man and charged him with first-degree murder after determining that the death of his intimate partner was caused by blunt force trauma, the V.I.P.D. has announced.
According to a release from the police department, on Friday, March 10, the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report at 1:20 p.m. from an adult male who stated that he discovered his female companion unresponsive on the bathroom floor. The department said the man reported the victim being "cold to the touch," and he told 911 that he tried to perform CPR, however, she remained unresponsive.
The V.I.P.D. said EMS arrived, examined the victim and found no signs of life. Examiners further informed the V.I.P.D. that the death appeared suspicious in nature and the Criminal Investigation Bureau proceeded to investigate the incident. The victim's remains were turned over to the Department of Justice's Medical Director’s Office pending an autopsy.
On Wednesday, March 15, Dr. Francisco Landron performed the autopsy and determined that the cause of death was due to blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was determined to be homicide.
The suspect, who was in an intimate relationship with the victim, was identified as 66-years-old Randal Yates of Frederiksted. He was taken into custody and advised of his rights. Yates provided a statement to police denying any involvement in the demise of the victim, who was identified by next of kin as 57-year-old Kathryn Almony of Williams Delight, Frederiksted.
Yates was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree assault, with bail set a $1 million.
Unable to post bail, Yates was booked, processed, and transported to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advised of rights hearing on Friday, March 17.
