Anguilla police urge calm after hotel worker killed by American guest
A police spokesman on Anguilla says the ‘temperature is high’ on the laid back Caribbean island, but for all the wrong reasons.
The Royal Anguillan Police Force is urging calm in the British Caribbean territory after tensions were stoked over the death of a hotel maintenance worker.
US tourist Gavin Hapgood, 44, faces manslaughter charges over the death of 27-year-old Kenny Mitchel at the Malliouhana Resort in Anguilla.
Hapgood claims self defense and was allowed to return home to Connecticut on $74,000 bond – a move which has angered locals.
Hapgood faces an August 22 hearing in Anguilla, and his local attorney says he has every intention of returning to face justice.
Few Anguillans believe that with accusations authorities caved to protect the tourism industry.
The death was witnessed by the American banker’s wife and children and was reportedly filmed on a cell phone by his wife.
Hapgood says Mitchel came to their room unannounced and attacked them in an apparent robbery attempt.
He was pinned down by the larger Hapgood in a struggle and died.
According to an autopsy report the cause of death was ‘prone restraint and positional asphyxia’ and there was evidence of ‘blunt force trauma to the head, torso and abdomen,’ Anguilla police spokesman Randy Dick said in a statement.
"It’s clear that people are angry. They are very emotional about it. The police continue to perform in a very professional manner and allow the law to take its course," Dick said.
Other tourists have cited a sudden change in the mood with anger now being directed at foreigners.
The police urged for calm, asking islanders not to post provocative comments on social media, adding that a backlash could seriously hamper Anguilla’s tourism industry, and prejudice the case against Hapgood.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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