Accused in murder of pregnant woman identified
CLARENDON, Jamaica — The police have identified the man who is believed to have killed his girlfriend in Rhoden Hall district, Clarendon and suspected to have committed suicide while in police custody today.
The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Markland Hayles, a farmer of Mason River district in the parish.
According to the police, Hayles was found hanging with a piece of clothing tied around his neck about mid-morning. He was assisted to hospital where he was pronounced dead, the police said.
Read: Main suspect in pregnant woman’s murder hangs self in lock-up – police
Hayles was taken into custody on Sunday, June 20 after 21-year-old Tashika McKay was found by a relative with her throat slashed. It is believed the killing stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Read: Man accused of killing pregnant girlfriend rescued by cops from angry mob
Hayles was reportedly taken to the hospital and treated for injuries he sustained from stones that were hurled during the arrest. One officer was also treated, the Constabulary’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) reported.
Hayles was later taken to the May Pen Criminal Investigations Branch where he confessed to the crime during a caution statement before he was taken to the Lionel Town Police Station where he was placed in a quarantine cell by himself due to COVID-19 protocols, the CCU said.