PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten – The government here yesterday said it is providing “every resource” to law enforcement authorities as they probe the murder of two American citizens.

The identities of the two people have not been disclosed, but the government said in a statement that “our hearts go out to the family and friends of the couple found murdered at the Ocean Club in

St Maarten.

“Since the incident is still under investigation, we cannot comment about the details at this time, but we can assure you that every government resource is being brought into play to investigate and solve this case,” police said.

Chief prosecutor Hans Mos said that the police were informed of a “possible crime scene” at the Ocean Club and upon their arrival “discovered the lifeless bodies of a man and a woman”.

He said both appeared to have “sustained lethal stab wounds.

“The woman was tied onto a chair. The man was lying on the floor and partially over another chair. The motive of this horrific crime is yet unclear. The doctor who was at the crime scene found no indication whatsoever of a possible sexual motive,” Mos said, dismissing earlier speculation regarding the death.

He said the police have been questioning numerous “witnesses that might be able to contribute to the investigation”

He said that the police have not been able to conduct a formal identification of the murdered couple and that their “next of kin have not yet been informed.

“The Public Prosecutor's Office has been in contact with the American Consul in Curaçao and has requested the Consul to inform the family members. As long as no formal identification has taken place no information on the identity of the victims can be divulged,” Mos said.