Mayor of Mandeville, Donovan Mitchell, says there is growing concern over his niece, Kimalee Larmond John, who has been missing in Trinidad since Saturday, November 19.

Reports from the Trinidad and Tobago police are that John, a 32-year-old security guard, left her home in Orange Field, Chase Village, Chaguanas, around 5:40am, to go to work. She was expected to meet a company vehicle, which was waiting to pick her up 10 minutes away from her home, however, John did not show up although she told the driver that she was on her way.

The mayor, during an interview with Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, disclosed that the family was not doing well, and were losing hope.

“We are losing hope. As the days go by it's becoming a little bit painful and stressful. The tears are beginning to fall as time proceeds,” Mitchell said.

He added that while he has not been in contact with authorities in Trinidad, other members of the family have been, and he has reached out to the Jamaica High Commission.

Mitchell also revealed that he was in contact with alderman and chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Local Government Authorities, Anthony Roberts, as well as the Hunters Search and Rescue Team, who, he said, has been sharing “whatever information they have.”

John’s disappearance has been hard on the family as she has been described as one who would not “run off leaving her responsibilities”. The missing woman’s sister, Shinelle Stewart, pleaded with anyone with information to come forward.

“She’s extremely driven and hardworking, (and) would not be the type of person to just run off leaving her responsibilities. Also, pleading to the public that if they know or have any information, please contact the police or the rescue team led by captain Vallance,” Stewart said.

She added that John never disclosed any grievances with anyone.

John has been living in Trinidad for approximately six years and is married to a Trinidadian, who Stewart said is devastated about his wife being missing.

“Her family and friends are currently in agony and so much pain, because we know her character and how hard she works for the things she has, and building relationships with close ones around her. She is not deserving of this, and because we know this, we are left heartbroken and almost speechless,” Stewart said.

Stewart added that she is concerned by the Trinidadian police’s lack of urgency in searching for John and hopes that with the media attention, the police will be forced to work the case more efficiently.