THE police yesterday disclosed that charges have been laid against a man in relation to the murders of two American missionaries, whose bodies were found in a remote part of Boscobel, St Mary, last month.

Police report that 48-year-old Randy Hentzel and 53-year-old Harold Nichols rented motorcycles in Ocho Rios, St Ann, and went on a trail. Residents later stumbled upon Hentzel’s body, face down with the hands bound. Nichols’ body was found the following day with his head bashed in.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ealan Powell told journalists during a press conference at the Police Commissioner’s office in St Andrew yesterday, that 25-year-old Andre Thomas, of Albion Mountain in the parish, was arrested and charged with murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition following intensive investigations. He is also facing additional, but unrelated charges, under the Sexual Offences Act.

Thomas was nabbed during an operation in Port Maria on June 3.

“After intensive investigations by the police, we were able to arrest and charge him for the murder of both missionaries. We have determined that the motive for the murders was robbery,” ACP Powell said.

At the same time, the ACP said a man by the name of Dwight Henry, otherwise called “Dougie” of Port Maria in the parish, is wanted for questioning in the matter, which sparked international criticism and condemnation.

“We would dearly like to speak to him about this matter and so we are asking him to make himself available to any police station or any policeman across the island by 6:00 pm tomorrow (today) because we dearly want to speak to him,” ACP Powell added.

Meanwhile, Joshua Polacheck, the counselor for public affairs at the US Embassy in Kingston, told the

Jamaica Observer late yesterday that the investigation is active and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local investigators are still working together to bring the killers to justice.

— Kimone Francis