KINGSTON, Jamaica — Counsellor for Public Affairs at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, says United States authorities are anticipating swift action in apprehending those responsible for the deaths of two US missionaries in Boscobel, St Mary, on the weekend.

The dead men have since been identified as 48-year-old Randy Hentzel and 53-year-old Harold Nichols.

Police report that both men rented motorcycles in Ocho Rios, St Ann, and went on a trail on Saturday. Residents later stumbled upon Hentzel’s body after 12:00 pm, face down with the hands bound.

Nichols’ body was found sometime after 2:00 pm on Sunday with his head bashed in.

“We are shocked and saddened by the senseless taking of life. We have been in touch with both victims’ families. Ambassador [Luis] Moreno will be reaching out to the next of kin later today,” Polacheck told OBSERVER ONLINE.

He said Moreno has also been in touch with the police high command and is hoping “to see a quick identification of these murderers, their arrest, and them being brought to justice”.

At the same time, Polacheck said the US is willing, if called upon, to assist with the murder investigation.

“We have not been asked by Jamaican authorities to assist at this point, of course, we would consider the request in a favourable way,” said Polacheck.

Kimone Francis