MONTEGO BAY, St James — Kevin Smith’s Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries, where the security forces interrupted a bloody ritual in 2021, is being sold. The asking price for the location, where three people were killed, is $37 million.

The Albion, St James, property will forever be known as the place where 39-year-old Taneka Gardner and 38-year-old Michael Scottsdale Brown lost their lives in what was said to be a human sacrifice ritual on October 17.

A third congregant, Kevaughn Palmer, was shot dead by the security forces as they entered the building.

Another of Smith’s followers was stabbed, shot in his back, and an attempt made to cut his throat during the mayhem inside the building.

Checks on Tuesday with a Montego Bay-based realtor revealed that there has not been much interest in the building that sits on a one-acre lot located five minutes from downtown Montego Bay.

“It’s currently for sale and it’s not under offer at this time,” said the realtor, who did not wish to be identified by name.

He said while it will be a difficult sale, the property is in a good location which could be used for both commercial and residential purposes.

The building which housed Smith’s Pathways is still on the property but void of furnishings and fixtures. In the wake of the bizarre events that unfolded there it was ransacked and everything of value removed. The property is now heavily shrouded by foliage that cover much of the front yard and sections of its long driveway.

In the weeks after the bloody melee at the scene, speculation was rife about what would become of the property. In responding to neighbours’ concerns that rotting food and other items were posing a health risk at the facility, health officials in St James conducted a clean-up exercise. There was a suggestion, then, that the bill would be sent to the property owner.

Then, eight days after the deadly ritual, Smith died in a motor vehicle crash on the Linstead bypass in St Catherine while being transported from Montego Bay to Kingston to be charged with two counts of murder, two counts of wounding with intent, and illegal possession of a firearm.

Andre Ruddock, who said he slit Gardner’s throat on Smith’s orders after another congregant refused, is still before the court on a charge of murder. In laying out the prosecution’s case on the opening day of the case against Ruddock, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn pointed to witness statements that painted a picture of Smith’s iron grip on his followers.

Smith allegedly ruled his Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries with such a heavy hand that he would project death upon congregants and their families who refused to pay him money upon demand. Followers also had to seek Smith’s permission to go on vacation and addressed him by the titles “His Excellency”, “Daddy”, or “Father.” He later asked to be addressed as “His Majesty” because he believed himself to be the king.