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Jamaica travel warning issued after 65 murders in just four weeks.

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The State Department issued a stark travel warning for another Caribbean nation Tuesday — cautioning that Jamaica has been rocked by 65 murders this month.

The US Embassy in Jamaica upgraded the travel advisory to a Level 3, “Reconsider travel,” which is just one level short of the most severe, which warns Americans against travel altogether.

The crimes have become so pervasive that tourists aren’t even safe in the shelter of their resorts, the embassy said.

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the warning stated.

“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence,” it continued.

“Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities.”

According to the State Department, Jamaica has reported one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere for several years.

At least 65 people were killed between Jan. 1 and 27 of this year, data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force show.

Shockingly, the high murder rate is down from last year — 81 people were killed in the first month of 2023.

At least 1,393 homicides were reported throughout all of last year, following 1,498 murders in 2022.

Jamaica has not reported fewer than 1,000 murders per year since 2003, data show. The country has a population of 2.8 million.

The travel advisory marks the second the State Department has made against a Caribbean nation in days.

The US Embassy in the Bahamas on Friday put the island on a Level 2 “Exercise increased caution” warning, telling Americans to keep a low profile while visiting and not to fight back if they find themselves the victims of a crime.

While not as severe as Jamaica, the Bahamas was labeled unsafe for tourists amid 18 murders — “primarily” motivated by gang violence — in January alone.

“Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets,” the embassy wrote in a release, also recommending the use of “extreme caution” on the eastern side of the Bahamas’ capital city, Nassau.

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Jamaica Police Investigating Death of 24-Year-Old American Woman Celebrating Her Birthday On Island

Police in Jamaica are investigating the death of a 24-year-old American woman who died while on vacation. Police found Quintairia Roker inside her hotel room in Montego Bay on June 21.

According to police, Roker of West Palm Beach, Florida, was visiting a male friend she met online to celebrate her birthday.

They partied for hours on Tuesday night into the morning before returning to the room they booked at Montego Bay Club Resort.

The next day, her male friend went to check on her after she didn’t get out of bed. He found her unresponsive around 10:00 a.m. before first responders arrived on the scene before she was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the Caribbean National Weekly, police are not suspecting foul play at this time.

Family and Friends Remember Quintairia As A Beautiful, Sweet Girl

Family and friends have taken to social media to celebrate the young woman’s life, who many describe as a “beautiful and sweet girl.”

“I’m lost for words and still in disbelief of losing my beautiful sweet young cousin,” one family member stated. “Taria Roker, we love you, baby girl…we will miss you entirely.”

“My niece, Taria Roker, is gone too soon,” another family member posted on Facebook. “We will miss your beautiful smile and kind heart […] The entire family is asking for your sincere prayers.”

The latest travel advisory from the U.S. State Department lists Jamaica as Level 3: Reconsider Travel as of May 10, 2023. U.S. officials say Americans should reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime.

The advisory reads:

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards.”

The advisory also warns that U.S. government officials are prohibited from traveling to certain areas due to crime. Of the 11 regions listed, St. James Parish, where Montego Bay is also listed.

This story is developing.

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The Jamaica Star

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American tourist found dead in hotel room

A female tourist from the United States was found dead inside a hotel room in Montego Bay, St James on Wednesday morning. 

She has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker, from West Palm Beach in Florida.

It is reported that Roker arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday, where she met with a male friend who she met on social media. 

They both booked a room on the 10th floor of the Montego Bay Club Hotel after partying for several hours on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

It is further reported that about 10:00 a.m., the male friend realised that she had not gotten up out of bed and went to make checks. He found her unresponsive and raised an alarm.

Roker was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The police say no foul play is suspected, but an investigation is ongoing.

- Hopeton Bucknor 

We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on Twitter @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.

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Police In Jamaica Investigating Circumstances Surrounding Death of American Tourist Quintaria Roker

Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Law enforcement in Jamaica are conducting a probe into the death of Quintaria Roke r, an American tourist who was discovered dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay last Wednesday (June 21), the Jamaica Gleaner reports.

According to news articles, Roker arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday to meet up with a man that she met online. After partying into Wednesday morning, they reportedly reserved a room at the Montego Bay Club Resort.

Around 10 a.m. her male companion noticed that Roker never got out of bed and he found her unresponsive. After calling 911, she was then rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Clifford Chambers, Assistant Commissioner and head of the Area One Police said officials are “awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine her cause of death.”

Roker’s death is eerily similar to the case of Shanquella Robinson , the Charlotte woman who died during a trip with friends to Mexico last October.

Robinson, 25, traveled to Mexico along with six friends from college and was discovered unconscious on October 29. The group, four women and two men were reportedly staying in a rented tourist property in San Jose del Cabo, in Baja California Sur, which is more than 1,000 miles south of San Diego.

Robinson’s friends told her family that died of alcohol poisoning but a video that went viral on social media revealed Robinson was attacked by someone with whom she traveled with her on the trip. It remains unclear when the footage was captured or if Robinson died as a result of the injuries she suffered from the attack.

Feds Say They Will Not Pursue Criminal Charges In Death of Shanquella Robinson

Following an investigation of Robinson’s death, the U.S. The State Attorney’s office concluded that there wasn't enough evidence to bring forth a federal criminal case.

“Given the circumstances of Ms. Robinson’s death and the public concern surrounding this investigation, it is important to reassure the public that experienced federal agents and seasoned prosecutors have extensively reviewed the available evidence and has concluded that federal charges cannot be pursued," U.S. Attorney Dena King said in a statement at the time.

A public memorial for Roker is currently being planned by her family to honor her memory.

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British tourist, 33, shot dead in Jamaica after 'standing by pool at villa'

Sean Patterson was shot multiple times, police say

• 08:00, 4 JAN 2023

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A British tourist has been gunned down and killed while on holiday in Jamaica. Sean Patterson was reportedly shot multiple times at the One Love Guest House in Bogue Hill, St James.

Local police say the 33-year-old personal trainer, from West London , was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at around midday on Monday (January 2). Jamaica Constabulary Force says its Montego Bay officers received reports that the British national was standing by a pool at the villa when witnesses heard 'loud explosions'.

The force told the PA news agency that Mr Patterson was then shot multiple times after a short chase, the Mirror reports . He was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head, but was unable to be revived.

READ MORE: Gucci and Rolex watches among luxury haul seized by police in raids on homes and cars

A 34-year-old man from Kingston, Jamaica, has been now taken into custody in connection with the incident, according to local media. Reports in Jamaica claim the suspect had been deported from the UK in 2013.

Mr Patterson is understood to have been in the country since December 29, 2022. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to PA they were currently 'supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities'.

Mr Patterson is the first person to have been murdered in the parish of St James this year, with the suburban area reporting a total of 198 murders in 2022. Jamaica as a whole meanwhile reported 1,421 killings out of a total population of 2.8 million people at the start of December, outpacing the 1,375 killings in the same period last year, a spokesman with Jamaica’s Constabulary Force told The Associated Press.

The prime minister declared a widespread state of emergency last month in response to a surge in gang violence on the island. Last October, Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator also moved to ban music and TV broadcasts deemed to glorify or promote criminal activity, including violence, drug use, scamming and weapons.

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American tourist found dead in MoBay hotel room

The St James police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an American woman who was discovered dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay on Wednesday morning. She has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker, who lived...

American tourist found dead in hotel room

American tourist found dead in hotel room A female tourist from the United States was found dead inside a hotel room in Montego Bay, St James on Wednesday morning. She has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker, from West Palm Beach in Florida. It is reported that Roker...

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Florida woman found dead in hotel room in Jamaica

The Jamaican police are investigating the death of an American woman who was found dead inside her hotel room in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Quintaria Roker from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Reports are that Roker arrived on the island on Tuesday and met up with a male friend she met online. After allegedly partying for hours on Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, they rented a room at the Montego Bay Club Resort.

It is further reported that around 10 a.m., her male friend went to check on her and found her unresponsive. He then raised an alarm.

Roker was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The police say no foul play is suspected.

Investigations are ongoing. 

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Briton shot dead in Jamaica was victim of contract killing, police say

Jamaican police say fatal shooting of Sean Patterson, 33, was ‘contract killing that emanated from Britain’

A British man who was shot dead in Jamaica this week was the victim of a contract killing ordered in Britain, according to local police.

Sean Patterson, 33, a personal trainer from west London , was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at about midday on Monday in Bogue Hill, St James, police said.

“The investigation so far theorised that the murder was a contract killing that emanated from Britain,” said the Jamaica constabulary force’s deputy commissioner of police, Fitz Bailey, in a video statement on Wednesday.

The force said a man had been arrested for the “contract killing” of a UK national. Local media previously reported a 34-year-old man was taken into custody.

Patterson arrived in Jamaica on 29 December on a Virgin Atlantic flight with another man from London, according to police, and spent three days at an apartment before booking a five-night stay at a villa in Bogue Hill, St James.

The two attended a concert and subsequently met up with a third man in Kingston, said police.

All three stayed at the villa and “retired to bed in separate rooms”. According to reports, at about noon the next day, 2 January, Patterson was shot and killed. He was taken to the hospital but could not be revived.

The deputy commissioner of police said there was no evidence that Patterson was robbed or had “any connection in Jamaica”.

Speaking to MailOnline, Patterson’s mother, Lesley Wright, said her son had “been having the time of his life” in Jamaica, where he has family through his father. Wright said her son, who was engaged and planned to marry his fiancee this year, had hoped to meet them but never had the chance.

“I’ve lost my baby. No mother should have to bury her child,” she said.

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Bailey said: “The investigation is making significant progress and we are working with our international partners.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities.”

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Brit tourist, 33, chased and shot dead while on holiday at luxury villa in Jamaica

A Brit tourist has died after he was shot multiple times by a gunman while staying at a luxury guest house in Jamaica, with local media reporting that the suspect had previously been deported from the UK

• 01:12, 4 Jan 2023
• Updated 08:41, 4 Jan 2023

A British tourist has died after he was shot multiple times while holidaying at a luxury villa in Jamaica.

Personal trainer Sean Patterson, 33, from West London, was reportedly gunned down during a stay at the One Love Guest House in Bogue Hill, St James on Saturday.

Jamaica Constabulary Force told the PA news agency officers from Montego Bay Police had received reports the 33-year-old was standing by the accommodation's on-site pool when witnesses heard “loud explosions”.

Mr Patterson, a British national, was then shot multiple times after a short chase. He was transported to hospital with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head, but was unable to be revived.

A 34-year-old man from Kingston, Jamaica has been now taken into custody in connection with the incident, according to local media, who additionally reported that he had been deported from the United Kingdom in 2013.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to PA they were currently “supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities”.

Mr Patterson is understood to have been in the country since December 29.

He is the first person to have been murdered in the parish of St James this year, with the suburban area reporting a total of 198 murders in 2022.

Jamaica as a whole meanwhile reported 1,421 killings out of a total population of 2.8 million people at start of December, outpacing the 1,375 killings in the same period last year, a spokesman with Jamaica’s Constabulary Force told The Associated Press.

The prime minister declared a widespread state of emergency last month in response to a surge in gang violence on the island

Last October Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator also moved to ban music and TV broadcasts deemed to glorify or promote criminal activity, including violence, drug use, scamming and weapons.

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American found dead in MoBay hotel room - Bloodied body had multiple stab wounds

Hopeton Bucknor/Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

An American visitor has become the latest murder victim in western Jamaica after his body, with multiple stab wounds, was found inside a hotel room in Montego Bay yesterday.

Investigators attached to the western city’s Freeport Police Station have identified the deceased man as Pheodore Walling, who is of a Michigan address in the United States. He was a guest at Hotel Gloriana, where his body was discovered.

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The American’s death coincided with a strong defence of the country’s travel industry by US Ambassador Donald Tapia, who emphasised yesterday that Jamaica was a safe place for tourists.

Speaking at a Lions Club of Kingston meeting at The Jamaica Pegasus, Tapia argued that the impact of violent crime on the hospitality industry was negligible, though he acknowledged that he was constantly asked about murders.

“The place is safe. There are certain areas that are very bad, but overall, when you look at Jamaica is safe. They do not attack the tourists ... so they are not affecting tourism,” he said.

“… So (crime’s) one of the things we need to get off the front page and put on Page 18 or 16, not on the front page.”

Crime affects 0.1 per cent of tourists, the Ministry of Tourism has said.

However, Walling’s death has left Janet Silvera, the president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, quite concerned as with the tourism sector already facing worrying threats from the global coronavirus outbreak, this killing could further unsettle the sector.

“Jamaica is already fighting with the fallout as it relates to the coronavirus, so the death of a tourist is just more bad news,” said Silvera. “One would want to believe a visitor to the island would be safe … . In fact, 99 per cent of our visitors usually enjoy incident-free vacations.”

According to the police, Walling arrived on the island recently and was staying at the popular property, which is located along Godfrey Dyer Boulevard. It is unclear whether he was a business or leisure traveller.

Based on reports from the police, about 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, a housekeeper raised an alarm when she stumbled on the body, which was on its back on a blood-soaked bed.

Walling was last seen alive on Tuesday afternoon, a source at Hotel Gloriana told The Gleaner . At the time, he was reportedly seen in the company of an unidentified male.

He is the third person to be murdered in St James this week and the 14th since the start of the year.

St James is one of eight police divisions under a state of emergency. Murders have risen nationally by 11.5 per cent, with more than 230 people slain up to February 29.

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Wave of sex attacks and murders spark travel warning to Jamaica

The advisory from the us department of state comes as the island enters high season for caribbean travel, lasting from january to may., plans for jamaican republic – with referendum 'as early as 2024'.

Americans are warned to "reconsider travel" to Jamaica as the murder toll reaches 65 people this month.

The US Department of State has raised Jamaica's travel advisory to a Level 3, just one level above a Level 4 "do not travel" warning.

"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common," the agency says. "Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts."

The alert was issued last week as the island nation enters high season for Caribbean travel, which lasts from January to May.

Separately, the US embassy in the Bahamas has warned Americans to exercise "extreme caution" in the country as it deals with 18 murders this month alone.

READ MORE:  Bahamas tourists should be 'extremely' careful as 18 murders rock the island

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The US warns that crime is high and Jamaican institutions are woefully inadequate.

"Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents," the State Department said. "When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities."

Americans are also urged to buy travel insurance , as emergency services could prove expensive if needed.

The homicide rate in Jamaica, which has a population of about 2.8 million people, has been one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere for several years.

The country's leaders have announced plans to hold a referendum this year that would officially sever their ties to Britain and King Charles and allow the country to officially call itself a republic.

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US government personnel have been banned from traveling in multiple parishes, including those of St. James and St. Ann.

St. James saw nine homicides in the first 13 days of the year, while St. Ann saw five, according to the Jamaica Gleaner .

Jamaica isn't the only Caribbean nation having a difficult 2024.

In The Bahamas, "murders have occured at all hours including in broad daylight and on the streets," said the US embassy in the country. American authorities blame the troubles on "gang-on-gang violence," while the Bahamian prime minister has promised "more intrusive policing" to addres the terrifying crisis.

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U.S. warns tourists to ‘reconsider travel’ to this island nation after 65 murders in 1 month

• Updated: Feb. 03, 2024, 6:12 a.m. |
• Published: Feb. 03, 2024, 6:00 a.m.

The U.S. State Department has issued a security warning, urging people to "reconsider travel" to Jamaica after 65 people were murdered in one month. AP

• Katherine Rodriguez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The U.S. State Department has issued a security warning , urging people to “reconsider travel” to Jamaica after 65 people were murdered in one month.

According to the State Department , the most recent “reconsider travel” warning comes due to high crime and lack of medical services.

The crimes have become so prevalent that even people staying at all-inclusive resorts are not safe.

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the warning from the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica stated.

“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence,” the embassy’s warning continued.

The amount of murders in Jamaica has caused the island nation to have one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force , at least 65 people were killed from Jan. 1-27, 2024.

Jamaica is not the only island nation U.S. officials have issued warnings to tourists about the lack of safety in the region.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning to tourists traveling to The Bahamas, advising them to “exercise increased caution” due to crime.

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British tourist shot in Jamaica was ‘contract killing', police say

Sean patterson was found dead on monday near the pool of his holiday accommodation.

Lucy Devine

Police in Jamaica have claimed the shooting of a 33-year-old British tourist was a 'contract killing'.

Sean Patterson, a personal trainer from West London, was found dead on Monday (2 January) near the pool of his holiday accommodation in Bogue Hill, St James .

He had gunshot wounds to his upper body and head.

In a video statement on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey, who is in charge of the crime and security portfolio, said: “Our investigation so far has theorised that the murder was a contract killing that emanated from Britain.”

Mr Bailey said Mr Patterson had arrived in Jamaica on 29 December with another man from London. They had spent a number of days at an apartment before checking into the St James villa on New Year's Day.

They later met up with a third man – from Kingston – who was at the villa when Patterson was murdered.

“[The Kingston man] reported that his back was turned to [Mr] Patterson when he heard several loud explosions [which] sounded like gunshots,” Mr Bailey said.

“He reported that he looked around and saw a lone man dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt with a handgun shooting [Mr] Patterson.”

The witness reportedly hid in the bushes, before police later arrived and found Mr Patterson in a “pool of blood” with “what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the upper-body and head”.

“There is no evidence (Mr) Patterson was robbed," said Mr Bailey, adding that local authorities are working with UK police and are making "significant progress".

On Tuesday, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to the PA news agency they were currently “supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities”.

Mr Patterson’s mother, Lesley Wright, told the Daily Mail that her son had travelled to Jamaica to meet family.

She said: “The local police have told me that Sean was at a big party over New Year and was sitting by a pool talking to friends.

“Someone pulled at his arm and he shrugged the person off but about four gunshots were fired immediately afterwards and Sean was hit in the upper body.

“I’ve lost my baby. No mother should have to bury her child. He’d gone to Jamaica with my godson and one of my best friends and had only been there for two days.”

Wright went on to explain that her son was not the 'argumentative type' and she was at a loss over his death. She described him as the 'loveliest, sweetest boy and the kindest, most happy-go-lucky man'.

“We hope for justice and that my son’s killer is taken off the street where they can’t hurt anyone else and destroy another family," she added.

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British tourist, 33, shot dead at guesthouse where he was staying in Jamaica

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A British tourist has been shot dead in Jamaica.

Sean Patterson, 33, was gunned down by the pool of the guest house where he was staying in St James on Monday.

The personal trainer, from west London , was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at around midday.

Police had rushed to the scene after witnesses described hearing ‘loud explosions’.

Mr Patterson was taken to hospital but could not be revived.

According to local media, a 34-year-old man has been taken into custody.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed they are ‘supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities’.

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Tourist dies trying to drink all 21 cocktails on Jamaican menu

He only managed 12

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A British tourist on holiday with his family in Jamaica died after attempting to take part in a challenge that involved drinking all 21 cocktails on the menu of a pool bar at his hotel.

Timothy Southern , 53, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, had finished 12 of the 21 cocktails on the menu when he returned to his hotel room at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Saint Ann, where he later died.

A pathologist in Kingston said the cause of death of the 53-year-old Staffordshire man was "acute gastroenteritis due to alcohol consumption". A Staffordshire-area coroner has also ruled that the death was alcohol-related.

The 21-cocktail challenge

The initial investigation into Southern's death found that he had been drinking brandy and beer throughout the morning.

Southern met two women from Canada who were celebrating a birthday, and both told him they were trying to complete the 21-cocktail challenge before midnight as part of their festivities.

It was unclear how quickly Southern consumed the 12 cocktails, and the family members he was travelling with said they sought to help him, but all to no avail.

"He was on his back choking. I put him in the recovery position and screamed for an ambulance," one of his relatives told the inquest.

"He was making a gurgling sound. As soon as he was in the recovery position he vomited.

"I was shouting his name with no response."

Family appeals for financial help

Through a message on GoFundMe, Southern's family is seeking financial support to bring her body back to Britain.

"As you're all probably aware; unfortunately our dad, Timmy Southern passed away whilst on holiday in Jamaica. Unfortunately, after doing some digging to find information about his insurance we have found out that he's not actually covered by his bank (as he had originally thought)," reads a family statement.

"This leaves us with an impossibly large amount of money to find in order to bring him home and pay for his funeral. We know dad was loved by so many with friends all over the world, the biggest character most would ever come across.

"We're hoping by doing this we could try to raise as much money as we can to get him home so that we, as a family, get to say our goodbyes. Anything that is left over from the funds we raise will go to the MIND charity."

At the time of this article, a total of 9,400 pounds sterling (almost 12,000 dollars) had been raised, thanks to 242 donations.

The hotel did not have adequate medical staff

The family has since expressed outrage and dissatisfaction with the emergency crews who tried to save him at his hotel, claiming they were not prepared to treat him properly.

"When the nurse arrived I said had an ambulance been called and she said 'no'. I thought she would take over. But that was not the case. I noticed he was starting to lose temperature. I checked his pulse and couldn't find it," said a relative.

"She said he had a pulse. I was starting to lose it. I got a full look at his face and I thought he had passed away. I said, "Don't just sit there looking at him, start CPR".

"She only gave him chest compressions. Maybe if she had known what she was doing, maybe he would still be here. The service and treatment he received was disgusting."

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Spike in murders, sex assaults triggers warning to Americans: ‘Reconsider travel’ to popular Caribbean destination

• Published: Jan. 31, 2024, 12:56 p.m.

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2014, file photo, sunbathers walk along a badly eroding patch of resort-lined crescent beach in Negril in western Jamaica. While some islands in the Caribbean were hard-hit by this season's hurricanes, others were relatively unscathed and are open for business as usual. (AP Photo/David McFadden, File) AP

• Dr. Gracelyn Santos | [email protected]

The U.S. Dept. of State issued a warning to travelers last week to reconsider travel to Jamaica due to a recent uptick in crime. There are four warning levels, with the current Jamaica warning now set at the third level, nearly the highest.

The Travel Advisory states there has ben a rise in violent crimes, stating “home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”

The State Department also said Jamaica’s murder rate is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere and U.S. citizens visiting the island should purchase traveler insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, noting that the Department of State does not pay medical bills and that Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.

According to Fox News, Jamaica has seen 65 murders since the new year, according to data released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The number of killings is short of the 81 reported in the same time frame in 2023.

The State Dept. warning also notes that local Jamaican police do not respond effectively to criminal incidents and arrests often do not result in conclusive sentences, and that families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities.

“The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere,” according to the advisory issued by the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica states. “U.S. government personnel under COM security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to the areas listed below, from using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.”

If you decide to travel to Jamaica, the State Dept. recommends:

• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition, as the penalties, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison time.
• Avoid walking or driving at night or public buses.
• Avoid secluded places or situations and be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.

The State Dept. also notes that hospitals on the Caribbean island may vary in the quality of care from U.S. standards of care and require payment up front when seeking treatment. For example, ambulance services are not always available, especially in rural areas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance and transport back to the U.S. can cost $30,000-$50,000.

Read the country information page review the Traveler’s Checklist for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

A recent warning has also warned travelers to exercise caution -- the second warning level -- when traveling to the Bahamas, due to crime.

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'Drunk' man jumps off cruise ship in front of shocked family

Mandel: at peace at last, christine jessop's mom has died, ex-mlb all-star angers neighbours with high-end backyard baseball field, furey: councillors throw toronto cops under bus for doing their job, ex-nhler bobby ryan wages online war against women's sports, popular toronto restaurateur merrick 'owen' aries shot to death in jamaica.

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Cops in Jamaica are trying to untangle the brutal ambush murder of popular Toronto restaurateur Merrick Aries on the island Tuesday.

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Popular Toronto restaurateur Merrick 'Owen' Aries shot to death in Jamaica Back to video

According to homicide detectives, the bullet-riddled body of the 43-year-old co-owner of The Diner’s Corner at Yonge and Isabella in the downtown section of the city, was discovered around 9:30 a.m.

Aries’ partially decomposed corpse was found stashed in bushes in Salt River, Clarendon — an area well-known for criminal activity. He had been shot multiple times in the head and upper body.

Now, detectives say they are trying to establish a motive for the Canadian man’s shocking slaying. But their working theory is that Aries was lured to the area where he was robbed and murdered.

His rental car was discovered at the scene.

Local media reports that Aries arrived at Sangster International Airport in St. James, Jamaica on Oct. 14 and had been slated to leave this coming Monday. He rented the car in St. James on the day he arrived.

Aries — who friends called Owen — co-owned The Diner’s Corner with his brother. The nosh plate was well-known for selling authentic Jamaican cuisine.

The news stunned friends and patrons of The Diner’s Corner.

One Facebook user wrote: “Owen, the co-owner of The Diner’s Corner in Toronto, was a dear friend. Owen always embodied warmth, tranquillity and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, a trait he instilled in his dedicated staff. My heart goes out to Owen’s family and friends, both near and far.”

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Another wrote: “(I) am in shock. I just met him (Aries) at Blockobana this year. Such a beautiful soul he was. May he rest in peace. Stolen from us.”

Aries reportedly immigrated to Canada in 2000 after learning his cooking skills on the island.

One friend wrote: “Owen was friendly, calm, and believed in providing the best service to his customers. That was what he shared with and expected of his staff.

“We miss you, Owen (Merrick Aries); we miss the conversations, laughter, the sweet potato pudding nicely decorated and presented, and your warm and hospitable presence in the restaurant…

“We hope that whoever took your life will be found and that it happens quickly. Oh, what a distressful news! Walk good, my friend.”

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U.S. Issues Travel Warning for Jamaica — What Travelers Should Know

The advisory is at "Level 3," urging Americans to "reconsider travel."

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The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for travelers to Jamaica.

The advisory, which is a "Level 3," encouraging Americans to "reconsider travel" cites "violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common" as the reason for the alert.

The advisory also mentions all-inclusive resorts.

The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica also posted the same advisory. In addition to the guidance of reconsidering travel, the agency recommends that travelers do not walk or drive at night, and avoid public buses.

The agency also posted specific guidance for each neighborhood in Jamaica, with some having, "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisories.

The agency also recommends travelers take extra precautions for insurance and healthcare planning, prior to visiting the island. “We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica,” the advisory states. “The Department of State does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.”

In a statement to Travel + Leisure, Jamaica's tourism board noted that, "there are very distinctly defined areas within Jamaica that the advisory cites as having high risk for crime, so the majority of the island’s tourism product remains unaffected."

"Visitors can continue to come with confidence to enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer," the tourism board added.

The U.S. State Department also recently published a Level 2 advisory for the Bahamas , encouraging travelers to exercise increased caution due to ongoing crime. 

Travelers who are heading to international destinations can view all current travel advisories on the State Department’s website . 

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3 dead after multi-vehicle crash in St Ann

Three persons were killed and others injured in a four-vehicle collision along the Dunn’s River main road in the vicinity of Pearly Beach in St Ann.

It is reported that the accident happened sometime after 8:00pm.

Observer Online understands that passengers who were traveling in an AD Wagon motor car from the Falmouth Market all succumbed to their injuries.

Others were rushed to the hospital.

– Akera Davis

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