Police confirm that Customs employee’s death was a homicide, while residents speculate about connection to earlier killings

Public speculation and concerns are mounting over the recent death of 52-year-old Margaret Harris, a Customs employee.  

  

Reports say the Major Crimes Unit is treating last Friday’s discovery of her lifeless body as a homicide – the 11th slaying for 2021. 

  

The Clare Hall woman’s remains were discovered at about 7:30 that morning, October 15, in an area off Wireless Road.  She was pronounced dead by the district doctor at 9:38 a.m. 

  

Later investigations revealed that Harris had sustained multiple injuries about her body, the extent of which have not yet been revealed. 

  

In the meantime, the Police are appealing to anyone with information on this incident to contact the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at 462-3913, or Crimestoppers at 800-Tips (8477). 

There has been an unconfirmed report that a man was taken into custody on the weekend in connection with this murder. The suspect allegedly was picked up on a popular road in Clare Hall. 

  

One man commends the Police for their speedy action and investigating skills. However, another resident is suspicious, saying the detention was too quick, given that no one reportedly witnessed the incident.    

It is alleged that persons in the community heard screams early Friday morning, but were afraid to come outdoors and investigate. 

  

Meanwhile, a woman who was close to the deceased says the whole thing seems a bit too convenient.  She describes Harris as a very quiet woman, and says she was surprised to hear that she had been killed. 

Harris’ death has plunged her workplace into mourning since she is the second Customs employee to be slain in less than two years. It is also the third violent attack against a staff member.  

  

In October 2019,  Cornell Benjamin was ambushed and shot multiple times at his Cassada Gardens residence.  He sustained serious injuries to his lower body, which resulted in him leaving Antigua for medical care in Jamaica. Sources say he has never returned home.  

  

Months later, on July 10, 2020, four men abducted Nigel Christian from his McKinnons home in broad daylight and in front of his mother.  His body was later discovered with multiple gunshot wounds on a dirt road near New Winthorpes. 

  

Three men have since been arrested and charged for his killing; but the attack on Benjamin remains unsolved. 

Now, anxious persons are wondering whether Harris’ killing is connected to the two earlier incidents or a random incident.