Police on Anguilla urge calm after hotel worker is killed by guest
The Royal Anguillan Police Force is urging calm in the British Caribbean territory over rising tensions following 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.
Hapgood said he was acting in self defence, claiming Mitchel entered the room he and his family were staying in and attempted an armed robbery.
The death, on April 13, was witnessed by the American banker’s wife and children and was reportedly filmed on by his wife on a mobile phone.
There have been rising tensions after Hapgood was allowed to return home to Connecticut on $74,000 bond, a move which has angered locals.
He faces an August 22 hearing in Anguilla, and his local attorney says he has every intention of returning to face justice.
But social media posts show many Anguillans don’t believe he will return and there have been accusations authorities agreed to bail to protect the tourism industry.
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.
He added: "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."
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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