WATCH: Police say they have no clear lead in killing of 8-y-o Danielle Rowe
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Detectives investigating the gruesome murder of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe say they have no clear lead in a case that has rocked the nation for the past few weeks.
Danielle Rowe was abducted after leaving Braeton Primary and Infant School in Portmore, St Catherine earlier this month. She was later found on Roosevelt Avenue in Stl Andrew, more than 13 miles away from her school, with her throat slashed.
READ: 8-y-o girl abducted from school in Portmore, throat slashed
She died at the Bustamante Children Hospital a few days after the abduction.
READ: 8-y-o who was abducted and her throat slashed has died
Police are urging people with information which could lead to a breakthrough in the case to come forward.
“I spoke with one of the investigators this morning and there is just no clear lead at this time despite the tremendous efforts of the investigators,” said Superintendent for St Catherine South Police Division Christopher Phillips.
“Nonetheless they continue to go at it with the investigation. I would use this moment once more to make an appeal because I strongly believe there is a friend, a relative, a family member who knows something,” he continued. “That person sits in the living room each night and watch the news about Danielle and say nothing. We are inviting persons who saw something. There is somebody out there who knows something…come forward with that little piece of the puzzle that can put us in a better position. It means a lot to us now as a nation.”
The police last week offered the public an image of a person of interest in the case. Officers said the image of the woman was developed using an Electronic Facial Identification technique after closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of her with Danielle on Roosevelt Avenue was uncovered.
READ: Police seeking woman in Danielle Rowe murder case
In the meantime, as the nation observed a National day of mourning for the island’s children on Friday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness condemned acts of violence against the country’s most vulnerable.
He went on to also urge the public to come forward with any information they have. “Today, I want to again take the opportunity to appeal to the public if you know something, say something,” he said. “Someone in Braeton must have seen something. It doesn’t matter how vague your recollection is, whatever you recall, share it with the authorities,” he stated.