Dear Editor,

I received a call on November 4 that my husband, Fredrick “Mickey” Hill, had been shot and killed by the police in Negril. I told the caller this could not be true. Why would someone want to kill my sweetheart? Unfortunately, it was true.

I arrived in Negril on November 5 to find I had his very large and loving family and the entire community ready to help me. We were all in shock, wondering how something so horrible, so inexplicable could have happened. His family and friends immediately started a campaign to find answers.

On November 13 his family organised a peace rally, “Justice for Mickey Hill”. I was overwhelmed by the large turnout and all the kind words they shared with me throughout the day. How could Mickey be gone? Could his death bring about a change in Jamaica?

Mickey’s funeral was held on November 18 to a packed church – so many family and friends still in disbelief that he was gone. It was a painful day for all of us. I want to thank the United Negril Church and Rev Fowler for a beautiful service. It was amazing how everyone was there to help us through such a difficult time.

Now that I have buried my husband, I can turn all my attention to finding out what happened and why. This strong, peaceful and proud Jamaican was too important to all of us to have had his life snuffed out needlessly. Yes, he is gone, but something needs to be done to stop these senseless killings. Mickey used to tell me that the “whole of Negril” was his family, but I think his family is all of Jamaica.

Mickey’s immediate family and I cannot do this alone. We need your help, Jamaica. Together we can unravel this puzzle. Together we can get justice.

Brenda Hill

brendahill2025@att.net