Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange says she is deeply saddened by the death of former Gleaner journalist Barbara Gayle.

Gayle was reportedly found dead with her throat slashed at her Caymanas Country Club Estate home in St Catherine on Tuesday morning.

“This is tragic and another of the senseless killings bedeviling our society. I hope those responsible for this heinous deed will be swiftly caught and brought to justice,” Grange said.

READ: Former Gleaner reporter Barbara Gayle found dead at home

“I express my deepest sympathy to Barbara’s family, relatives, friends and associates and to her colleagues at The Gleaner. May hers be an everlasting peace,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, condemned Gayle’s murder as “brutal and senseless”.

“This act of violence against a well-respected member of the media community is deeply disturbing and tragic. On behalf of the Ministry, I extend my deepest condolences to Barbara’s immediate family, her friends, and her colleagues at the Jamaica Gleaner,” Morris Dixon said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew her and were touched by her work. This tragedy underscores the need for greater efforts to protect all individuals from such heinous acts of violence. We call for justice to prevail and for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to account,” she said.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information said it further extends its condolences to the media fraternity at large and all who have been affected by this tragic loss.

“We remain steadfast in our support for the safety and protection of journalists, whose work is vital in ensuring the accountability of institutions and the delivery of truth to the public,” the ministry said.