St James police name person of interest in killing of US tourist
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The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Dane Watson, who has been named a person of interest in the investigation surrounding the alleged murder of 35-year-old Melissa Samnath, a Jamaican national and United States citizen.
According to police, Ms. Samnath had travelled to Jamaica to celebrate her birthday with Watson, whom investigators understand she married in December 2025.
Investigators say that on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Samnath was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James by Watson.
He reportedly left the medical facility shortly after assisting her from a motor vehicle. Hospital staff later alerted the police after she was pronounced dead.
According to investigators, Samnath had reportedly travelled to Jamaica to celebrate her birthday with Watson, whom investigators understand she married in December 2025.
Detectives pursuing the investigation located a premises in Norwood, St James, where evidence relevant to the case was recovered.
A post-mortem examination conducted on May 6, determined that Samnath died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma to the head.
Police are urging Watson to report immediately to the Freeport Police Station in St James or the nearest police station. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Freeport Police at 876-953-6191, Crime Stop at 311, or the Police Emergency number at 119.
Samnath's relatives in New York said they learnt of her death from the suspect's mother.
“His mother called to tell us she got a phone call from him saying he killed her and dropped her off in a wheelchair at the hospital. He didn’t even have the audacity to take her into the hospital,” said a niece, angrily. She did not want to be named.
As Samnath's family reeled in disbelief over the turn of events, a cryptic WhatsApp message Samnath sent shortly before 11 p.m. on the night she arrived in the island from Queens Village in New York suddenly became chillingly clear.
“I need you to call the cops. … Look at my location ... It is a pink house,” Samnath pleaded in the message, sent just over an hour before her birthday.
That was the last they heard from her.
Read More: ‘Call the cops’ - Final plea before NY tourist killed in Jamaica
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