Cosmetologist killed in altercation with policeman who fathered her twins
Published:Saturday | May 17, 2025 | 12:06 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
A 38-year-old cosmetologist was shot and killed early Thursday night and her children’s father, a policeman, left nursing a bullet wound following a violent altercation at the lawman’s home at Maize Muir Housing Scheme in Little London, Westmoreland.
The deceased woman, who has been identified as Jenese Francis, was also a resident of the Maize Muir Housing Scheme. She reportedly lived some five houses down the road from the policeman. Residents said they once lived together before separating.
According to a resident, who spoke to The Gleaner on condition of anonymity, the two, who had been involved in an on-again, off-again relationship for years, were involved in a quarrel earlier in the day. The resident said that, just after nightfall, she heard three gunshots followed by another two.
“This is a peaceful community where people live good, so what took place last night was not normal,” she said. “After the quarrel in the morning, we thought it was over and done, However, when I heard the first three gunshots and then the second two coming from the direction of the policeman’s house, I immediately began to fear the worst.”
According to an official release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the policeman, who is based at a police station in the parish, returned home from work about 7:50 p.m. and was in the process of entering his house through a back door when he was pounced upon from behind by Francis, who reportedly had a machete in her hand.
TUSSLE BETWEEN FRANCIS AND POLICEMAN
The report further stated that during a tussle for the machete, Francis managed to pull the policeman’s service Glock pistol from his waistband and a shot was discharged, striking the policeman on the little finger of his right hand. As they tussled for the gun, other shots rang out, which struck Francis in her upper body.
The policeman reportedly made a call to the Little London Police Station and a police team rushed to the location. Francis and the policeman were transported to Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead and he was treated and later released.
Efforts to get an update from the Westmoreland police on the incident proved unsuccessful as The Gleaner was directed to the police report, which did not speak to any action being taken against the policeman, who was reportedly seen on Friday at his home washing away blood from the scene of the incident.
When The Gleaner contacted INDECOM yesterday, a representative of the commission said they were aware of the incident and had commenced investigations. However, they too refused to say if they had completed their evidence collection and released the scene to the policeman.
When The Gleaner spoke to associates of Francis, they said she was the mother of twins for the policeman, but their relationship was quite contentious to the point that they at different times took out protective orders against each other.
“She was a nice person, but she did not talk up to every and anybody, she usually specialised with who she talked with,” said a fellow cosmetologist, who knew Francis well. “It is really sad to hear such terrible news about somebody that I knew so well.”