Former Jamaican Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera has been arrested as a suspect within the homicide of his spouse Melissa, who died late final yr.
Jolyan, a former MP for Western St. Mary who represented the Folks’s Nationwide Social gathering, was picked up by detectives assigned to the Main Investigation Division (MID) on Thursday.
It was beforehand reported that 42-year-old Melissa died in her sleep on November 10, 2023, on the couple’s residence. However the police later upgraded their probe to a homicide investigation after her autopsy examination revealed she was shot a minimum of thrice.
The event fueled rumors of a cover-up by authorities, which led to the case being transferred to the MID.
Head of the police’s crime and safety portfolio, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey, on Thursday, confirmed that the probe has now introduced forth ample proof for Jolyan to be introduced in as a suspect.
“A number of traces of inquiry had been drawn throughout the investigative course of, and having glad ourselves that there’s ample proof to mount a viable prosecution, as a consequence … Jolyan Silvera, the husband of the deceased, has been taken into custody as a suspect on this case,” he stated.
Police had questioned Silvera on two earlier events as a part of the probe. At the moment, Silvera’s legal professional Peter Champagnie stated his shopper was not being handled as a suspect.
Melissa remembered as a invaluable member of the PNP
On January 12, Melissa was laid to relaxation on the St Andrew Parish Church, the identical place that she had wed Jolyan in 2015.
Although she was by no means an official consultant, Melissa was remembered as a invaluable member of the PNP. Her husband gained his seat within the 2011 election. He served as MP for one time period.
Throughout Melissa’s funeral, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, P.J. Patterson, described her as his niece in his written tribute, expressing the lingering struggles of coming to phrases along with her loss of life.
“For clearly compelling causes and my very own emotions of incalculable loss, this tribute ranks among the many most troublesome to jot down; a lot needs to be left unsaid,” he stated.
He praised Melissa’s ambition and shared desires of nationwide improvement.
Chief of the PNP Mark Golding, in his written tribute, stated Melissa was a valued member of the political occasion and whose household has contributed a lot. Golding dedicated his occasion’s assist to the well-being of her three sons.
“Though nobody can change a mom to her kids, I give the peace of mind that our occasion will stand by them as they develop, doing as a lot as our capability permits,” he stated.
