LACOVIA, St Elizabeth — Police here say the 39-year-old partner of 50-year-old Nicole Brown confessed to killing her and dumping her body in the Black River after the couple had an argument.

Relatives of Brown, a resident of Barton Wharf district in Lacovia, had reported her as missing since Sunday night. Her partially nude body with wounds to her face was retrieved from the river Tuesday afternoon.

Operations officer for St Elizabeth, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Owen Brown, said the man, who was rescued by the police from a mob Monday night, gave chilling details when he was taken into custody.

“He told us that… he killed her and threw [her body] in the Black River. We went in search and the body was later [retrieved] from the Black River about 5:30 pm with the help of our counterparts from the military, the Marine Division, and citizens,” said DSP Brown in relation to the extensive all-day search to locate the woman’s body.

Deputy Superintendent Owen Brown speaking with journalists Tuesday afternoon in Barton Wharf district, Lacovia in St Elizabeth. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“They both were in a relationship. Based on what we have gathered, they lived together. Something may have occurred in the night which angered him, and as such he acted,” said the senior cop.

He said the St Elizabeth division continues to grapple with domestic violence, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of the 20 murders so far this year.

“Our division is showing an increase in [murders] since the start of this year, with over 61 per cent of all those relating to domestic violence. This is another such case, and so we want to appeal to the citizens of this parish… There is a domestic violence intervention centre in the parish and they should use the resources, [including] the professional counsellors who are there and who are quite capable of helping you to go through your challenge instead of resorting to violence,” he said.

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North Western Andrew Morris speaking with journalists Tuesday afternoon in Barton Wharf District, Lacovia, in St Elizabeth. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“Most of our murders are attributed to domestic and interpersonal conflicts,” he added.

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North Western Andrew Morris said Nicole Brown was a Jamaica Labour Party worker who was well loved in her community. He expressed shock at the circumstances surrounding her death.

“We are indeed saddened by it, because we have never had anything like this before. My heart really goes out to all the family, friends, and community members who really have to bear the unimaginable loss of this young lady,” said Morris.

“She was known to me. She was a supporter of the party. She worked for the party, and as such we are moved by it. I want to say to the residents that our Government will be supporting the Domestic Violence Bill in an effort to ensure that all perpetrators of domestic violence are brought to the books,” he added.

Members of the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the police’s Marine Division at the Black River, Tuesday, as part of the search for the body of 50-year-old Nicole Brown. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

The victim’s cousin, Raxonne Pusey, described her as a pleasant person who was dedicated to her work as a cook at a basic school in Lacovia.

“It is sad to see her gone like this. The family is not coping right now. I can’t express how I feel right now… She normally just goes from her home to [work]. She was a nice cousin to us and she is a loving cousin. She lost her son and now they take her life,” said a grief-stricken Pusey.

“If she was a bad [woman] you wouldn’t see so much crowd. She is a nice, loving [person],” added Pusey.

The crowd which descended on the river bank in Barton Wharf district, Lacovia in St Elizabeth on Tuesday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Ralston Seaton, a resident of Barton Wharf, shared a similar sentiment.

“She was simple. I wonder if a man could really kill a woman like that. Oh, my God! She was born and grew up here. She raises her chickens,” he said.

Nicole Brown’s neighbour, Junior Smith, was among grieving residents shocked by the news of her gruesome murder.

“She was a good person. She worked hard for her living, raising plenty of chickens and pigs. I feel a way to know that he hurt the girl like that. The lady was a nice person, courteous. The man now it was just hello and we passed each other,” he said.