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Police officers and detectives at a residence in Estate Peter’s Rest, investigating a partially decomposed body found in an apartment. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — V.I. Police Department officers have discovered what was said to be the decomposing body of a man inside an Estate Peter's Rest apartment, with the scene being described by investigators as suspicious.
According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima, on Sunday at approximately 11:48 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched units to a residence in Estate Peter’s Rest in reference to reports of a dead body. Upon officers’ arrival at the scene, they observed the lifeless body of a Black male laying on the floor inside an apartment.
The body was partially decomposed, and the matter in which it was found appeared to be suspicious in nature, according to the news release. Mr. Derima did not provide further details on the incident, however, the Consortium learned from a police source that shell casings were found inside and outside the apartment, and that gunshots had been heard in the area on Friday.
The deceased victim's identity was being withheld pending positive notification from next of kin, and the cause of death is also being withheld, pending further investigation, Mr. Derima said.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about this suspicious death to contact police with information by calling 911, the Crime TipLine at (340) 778-4950, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS.
