US Navy probes alleged murder by petty officer in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The United States (US) Navy Criminal Investigative Service has joined an investigation of Leoda Bradshaw, the US Navy petty officer charged with the abduction and murder of the 10-month-old daughter of Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell and the child’s mother.
The allegations against Bradshaw were detailed in a press release issued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on October 13 after police revealed that 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter Sarayah Paulwell were murdered and their bodies disposed of.
It is alleged that Bradshaw was in a relationship and shares a child with Paulwell, who she considered to be her spouse. A US resident, she allegedly arrived in Jamaica on September 6, and on the said day began conspiring the alleged kidnapping and murder plot with her cousin Roland Balfour, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller.
“During these conversations up to the 9th of September, 2023, there was an agreement made under the direction of Leoda Bradshaw for these men to kidnap and kill Toshyna Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell who was the product of a relationship that Ms Patterson had had with Mr Phillip Paulwell. This plan also contained part payment (which had been made) of a certain amount of money by Leoda Bradshaw to the men for the successful execution of the plan,” the ODPP stated in the release.
It is further alleged that on September 9, Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter were taken from their home at Gilmore Drive in Kingston by Bradshaw in a tinted SUV. The mother and child were subsequently delivered to men, including two of Bradshaw’s co-conspirators in St Andrew.
In addition, Richard Brown, otherwise called “Richie”, of a Kingston address, Roland Balfour, a 30-year-old assistant graphic designer, also of a Kingston address and Roshane miller, a 29-year-old air condition technician are the other three facing kidnapping and murder charges.
The ODPP said the capital murder counts against Bradshaw are based on the allegations of a contract for hire arrangement where she allegedly paid persons a sum of money to kidnap and murder Toshyna Patterson and Sarayah Paulwell contrary to section (2)(1)(e)(i) of the Offences Against the Person Act.
READ: WATCH: US Navy woman among 4 in custody over Paulwell baby, mom disappearance
On September 9, Paulwell had confirmed reports that his 10-month-old daughter Sarayah and her mother were missing.
Paulwell said the two were seemingly abducted from their home at Gilmore Drive, Kingston 20, on the morning of September 9 and have not been seen or heard from since.
READ: ABDUCTION FEAR – Paulwell’s daughter and her mom missing
The Member of Parliament had put up a $500,000 reward for information that would assist or lead to the safe return of the mother and daughter.
READ: $500,000 reward offered for information on Paulwell’s daughter and her mom.
