Police have launched a major investigation into the murder of a nine-year-old girl at her home on Job Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine on Friday. A person of interest has been named following the incident.

The deceased has been identified as Kelsey Ferrigon, whose partially naked body was reportedly discovered about 8:00 pm upside down in a barrel at her home. Her body appeared to have been beaten and investigators theorise that she was sexually assaulted.

Detectives of the Criminal Investigations Branch has named Giovanni Ellis, otherwise called ‘Coolie Man’, as a person of interest in the case. Ellis is urged to report to the Spanish Town Police immediately.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Wayne Josephs, said the police are leaving no stones unturned in their investigations.

“The brutal assault and murder of Kelsey has sent shockwaves through our entire force and I’m sure throughout Jamaica. We are utilising every single resource at our disposal – our investigators, our forensic teams, our intelligence networks – to relentlessly pursue and apprehend the monster responsible for this act,” said ACP Josephs.

“We owe it to Kelsey, her family, and every child in Jamaica to bring this individual to justice swiftly,” he added.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force said it strongly condemns this criminal act and renews its vows to go in pursuit of anyone who endangers the lives and well-being of citizens, especially children.

The police are seeking the assistance of the public to locate Giovanni Ellis and anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Spanish Town Criminal Investigations Branch at 876-984-2305, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, Crime Stop at 311 or police 119 emergency number.