ST JAMES, Jamaica- Investigators working to solve the murder of nine-year-old Gabriel King have met on yet another “roadblock”, according to commanding officer of the St James Police Division SSP Vernon Ellis.

The child, who was autistic, was found with his throat slashed, his body slumped on the back seat of his mother’s car, which had been reported stolen only minutes earlier. When the news broke of the child’s gruesome murder on January 13, Jamaicans across the world were left stunned as questions raised regarding young Gabriel’s mysterious death.

Additionally, there were calls from Government personnel and citizens alike for a thorough investigation. After months with no update from the police, citizens started to voice their frustration with the rate at which the investigation was being carried out.

However, Ellis told OBSERVER ONLINE that since the child’s death, investigators “have employed a range of technological, forensic and cyber strategies in attempting to make a breakthrough in this case”.

“We have collected statements, we’ve even brought an expert in a motor vehicle of the exact make and model to the one young Gabriel was killed in on that day. Based on what was reported to us, the crime scene was re-enacted [and] several case conferences were conducted by the detectives,” SSP Ellis explained.

But, SSP Ellis told OBSERVER ONLINE that the police’s attempts to further carry out their analysis of the child’s murder were met with a lack of cooperation. Their efforts to gain “access” to a cell phone belonging to the mother of young King was barred.

“Early in this year my detectives made an application for a production order pursuant to Section 21 of the Cyber Crimes Act, for the mother of the deceased to give permission to have access to her cellphone. That cellphone has been in the custody of the police since January when this murder took place,” said Ellis.

“On the 6th of September 2022, production order was granted by the parish judge stating that within 48 hours of the service of the order, the key and communication cell site and other data surrounding the phone be handed over for the purpose of the criminal investigation into the murder of Gabriel King,” the commanding officer added.

“Through our lawyers, she is now challenging the order made on September 6. This key aspect of the investigation is subjudice and as such, I will refrain from discussing that aspect at this time,” Ellis said.

Referencing a recent high-profile St James murder, the senior superintendent pointed out that through “hard work, cooperation, and support from our citizens and persons close to the investigation”, the JCF was able to make progress in that case.

This, he noted, has not been their reality with the investigations into the young boy’s killing.

“I would say that from the day of this murder we have been facing roadblocks, some non-cooperation, and some legal fencing from persons who should be readily assisting with the investigation,” Ellis said.

Reinforcing an appeal he has made on numerous platforms since the January 13 murder, Ellis called on the public’s assistance with information regarding young Gabriel’s death.

“I take this opportunity to appeal to the public, I am asking those who can help to support us to provide us with the information that they have. I am appealing to the conscience of that person who has some information that can help to solve this case to call Crime Stop at 311 or call the National Intelligence Bureau tip-line at 811,” said Ellis.

He continued, “The perpetrators of this crime are still walking freely. I ask that you find it in your heart to come forward and tell us what you know. Investigations are time sensitive and the shelf life of some forms of evidence is limited.”

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer at the crime scene in January, SSP Ellis said that at approximately 11:30 am the young boy and his mother were travelling in an Audi motor car along the Tucker main road when, she said, their nightmare began.

“She reported that she slowed down to manoeuvre some potholes when she was approached by a man who hit her in the face, forced her door open, then pulled her from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven away with King in the back seat,” SSP Ellis recounted.

After an alarm was raised by the boy’s mother, three units were deployed to the Fairfield community where the child was found inside the car with his throat slashed, SSP Ellis added. The car was found on Oak Hill Avenue in Fairfield Estate.

In addition to being autistic, the child is said to have suffered from a speech impediment.