NEGRIL, Westmoreland – The police have detained a man in connection with yesterday’s murder of a Negril woodcarver whose body, riddled with knife wounds, was found dumped in a secluded valley.

Anserd “Choonku” Rose, a 38 year-old resident of Whitehall in Negril, is the 28th person murdered in the parish since the start of the year.

His body was found by passers-by yesterday morning. There were large gashes to his throat and abdomen, while a large stab wound was seen in his back. There were also several other lacerations on his hands and feet.

Grief, anger and bewilderment were among the range of emotions displayed by family members who went to the scene to confirm Rose’s identity yesterday.

His mother Albertha Storer spoke of his virtues as tears ran down her face.

“Every day he would call me and ask me if I am alright and ask if I have money, even last night at about seven o’clock he call me,” she said.

There is speculation that Rose’s death may be linked to a recent business transaction.

According to Observer sources, Rose paid down $155,000 on a house the day before he died, and had an outstanding balance of $15,000.

The Negril police yesterday detained a man who is said to have some connection to the transaction. According to police sources, evidence that may possibly tie the man to Rose’s death was found in his house.

– Dalton Laing