Probe continues into JTB employee's murder
Published:Thursday | May 3, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator
WESTERN BUREAU:
Detectives at the Montego Bay Criminal Branch (CIB) in St James are combing through the personal belongings of the 41-year-old Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) marketing officer who was murdered last week under questionable circumstances in the hope of advancing their probe.
The trail in the murder case of Wayne Sterling has been cold since his semi-nude body was discovered almost a week ago with multiple stab and chop wounds.
The body was reportedly found in the Fairfield area and was identified by an identification card bearing Sterling's name and face.
The Gleaner understands that Sterling's smartphone, which contained several text messages, is integral to the investigation.
The Montego Bay community is still shocked at Sterling's death.
Omar Robinson, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) area chair and general manager at Round Hill Hotel and Villas, described Sterling's death as a huge loss to the JTB.
"He was intimately known by most of the hotel staff in this area, and it is very sad and unfortunate that he had to go this way. It is so gruesome."
Retired Meet-The-People Programme Coordinator at JTB Montego Bay and former colleague, Dr Norma Taylor, recalled that Sterling - a former student of Munro College - was committed to his job, which he held for the past 13 years.
"Wayne was respectful, kind, and very friendly. He loved working on the road and telling people about Jamaica," she said. "He was competent at his job."
Initial reports are that Sterling was found lying beside his car about 9 p.m. on April 26 with multiple wounds. He was originally from Lacovia in St Elizabeth and had a residence in the Corporate Area. He was divorced and is survived by a son.
It is unclear what Sterling was doing in Fairfield, as he lives on the other side of the town.