Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney
By Zaya Williams
Every year, a number of individuals vanish without a trace, leaving families and communities in a state of anguish and uncertainty.
Despite extensive search efforts, their whereabouts remain elusive, adding complexity to the already challenging task of resolving missing persons cases.
Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney, speaking on an Observer radio program, acknowledged the intricacies involved in such cases.
He emphasized the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to keep an eye out.
“For us as the police we continue to carry searches, we continue to speak to persons in the area, we join with the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force sometimes to do large searches in wooded areas. We keep talking to family…sometimes we send out drones out there but it’s difficult,” he said.
Rodney added that despite these efforts, the absence of clear motives or information complicates the investigative process. Without tangible leads, determining whether a disappearance is linked to mental health issues, foul play, or other factors presents significant challenges.
In instances where evidence is discovered, another hurdle arises in the form of identifying victims. Currently, DNA testing often requires sending samples overseas for analysis.
However, there is progress underway to establish a forensic laboratory locally, which would streamline this aspect of the investigation.
Among the notable missing person cases is that of Hyacinth Gage, a 74-year-old woman last seen at Mount St John’s Medical Centre in May 2019.
Roman Mussabekov, a 33-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan living in Canada, disappeared from English Harbour in 2017, adding to the list of unresolved cases.
Similarly, Vincia James’ disappearance in 2017 has left her family grappling with unanswered questions, compounded by the legal complexities surrounding her ex-boyfriend’s acquittal for her murder.
The police force needs about five to six thousands officers to police a population of over one hundred thousand. The force is too small and over work. Also the force needs updated training and advanced equipment and tools to work with. Antigua is too small for not able to find people who are missing. The police need to stops putting too much energy on targeting people with marijuana and focus on more serious crimes.