Murder in Grenada

[zboss]

Anybody have any more info on this?

U.S. tourist Jessica Colker killed in Grenada - CNN.com

[Lizzy Belle]

If you google her name, Jessica Colker, you'll get a lot of results.
The first one: Ex-convict being questioned in connection with Jessica Colker's murder | Daily Mail Online

Couldn't find anything connecting her with the sailing community.

[a64pilot]

Morning news said a man with a sword killed her. I though sword was odd, maybe that was why it made the news. Machete makes a lot more sense.
I do not believe they were cruisers or sailors, just tourists.

[GordMay]

More:

➥ Ex-convict being questioned in connection with Jessica Colker's murder | Daily Mail Online

➥ Jessica Colker: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I do not believe they were cruisers or sailors, just tourists.

Think so too.
I assumed there was a connection to the cruising community cos it was posted here on this forum.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I do not believe they were cruisers or sailors, just tourists.

Once you step ashore is there a difference?

[Canibul]

So should we start posting links to every American killed overseas whether sailing related or not? Will give some of us plenty to do, that's for sure.

here's a partial list, just for 2015:
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...cs/deaths.html

[rognvald]

I agree with Sailorboy's sentiments. How is it different if you walked on the beach as a hotel tourist or a cruising sailor? She was raped and murdered and perhaps drowned along-shore , after the rape, since they found her body in the water. It was reported her husband "ran" for help. If you were her husband, how would you like to live with those demons the rest of your life?
Home | Daily Mail Online Mail

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by rognvald

How is it different if you walked on the beach as a hotel tourist or a cruising sailor?

It doesn't matter in regards to what happened, but it does have something to do with posting it on this forum.

As Canibul said, are we going to post every murdered American tourist? Or every murdered tourist? Or all tourists who were the victim of some sort of crime?

I think that's a valid point, regardless of how horrible it is what happened to this lady.

[a64pilot]

This is a Cruising forum, so threads are supposed to be relevant to Cruising.
In my opinion since Grenada is a cruising destination, it's relevant, maybe.
I would not think so if it were in Snow Mass Colorado or so.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by rognvald

It was reported her husband "ran" for help. If you were her husband, how would you like to live with those demons the rest of your life?
Home | Daily Mail Online Mail

We will never know, perhaps at first it didn't look like it was an attack, maybe he thought kidnap for ransom, I can get help before he gets her away.
Who knows, but I too pity the man, I would not want to live with that.

[LLCoolDave]

Tragic story, several CNN reports have no mention of rape and rape is not listed on the autopsy report. The American embassy has not been told she was raped. I read some of the links above and some reporter "was told" the victim was raped. No first hand knowledge. Seems like hearsay internet journalism so far. It will all come out in time. I just hope for the victims sake she didn't have to endure that just to be murdered afterwards.

[Cheechako]

Tourist/cruiser deaths are both relevant in places where cruisers may go... knowing where and how is good info.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Tourist/cruiser deaths are both relevant in places where cruisers may go... knowing where and how is good info.

Maybe we better make a sub-forum for these reports then, cos if you look at all the countries cruisers may go, that is a LOT of land -and crime- to cover ...
How far inland do we report? I don't know how far cruisers may drive when doing roadtrips etc.?

[JPA Cate]

Lizzy Belle,

If you're still thinking seriously about going to the Caribbean someday, you might want to PM Mark J and ask him to e-mail you a picture of the companionway grille he had made to keep people out of his boat, due to machete attacks on yachties. While almost unthinkable in Europe, there have been a number of machete murders in the Caribbean. monte also spends a lot of time there. Both of them would be informed of which areas are the hot spots. Usually when there is a known dangerous area (only parts of the Caribbean are involved), one stays out of those places. Venezuela is a no go zone for many, now, as well.

From the point of view of an angry Islander, there is zero difference between a tourist and a yachtie, both are at best perceived as "wealthy", and if the islander thinks his life is worse because of the white people....

Such attacks do belong on CF when they occur in popular cruising destinations. In the days before internet, we used to get this kind of information over ham radio. Cruisers tend to look out for other cruisers, and it is good that the grapevine still works.

It is not something to get scared about, but if you are going there, plan ahead , be prepared, and go have a good time.

Ann