Arrests Made in Toddler’s Death

By Stuart Wilson

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service hosted a press briefing on 12th December to update the media and public on the arrest of three persons in connection with the murder of two-year-old, Alissady Powell after a two year year investigation that enlisted the assistance of international crime experts.

Two women aged 32 and 26, and a man aged 33, are being held in custody as inquiries continue in relation to the death, which occurred in Cayman Brac on 26th July, 2022, according to authorities.

RCIPS Commissioner Kurt Walton said the investigation was a protracted effort and took as long as it did (over 2 years) because as an organisation, the police “….wanted to give justice to this child.”

“It was necessary to go to this extent and we enlisted the services of many international experts in making the determination that the child was deceased before she entered the water,” said Mr. Walton.

Police officials said they would not be releasing the names of the persons in custody at this time and could not confirm whether they were family members of the deceased child. They explained that the next step is to send the file to the Department of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

“The final result of the enquiry into the child’s death is that it is an unnatural death, not consistent with drowning but strangulation,” said RCIPS officials.

“The investigation took so long because up to 10 medical experts were engaged. This report changed the investigation/matter to a homicide,” said Commissioner Walton.

Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Lockyer, along with other practitioners made the determination, which has changed the nature of the investigation.

At the time of the Alissady’s passing, the Cayman Islands local coroner flew to Cayman Brac to conduct a post-mortem. Initial reports had theorised that the death may have been related to drowning. However, after further analysis be a team of international experts, the death was determined to be a homicide.

In recounting the events surrounding the discover of the child’s lifeless body the authorities noted: “At 5:15 am on 22nd July, 2022 a call came in for a missing child,” said police, who added that a coordinated search was launched with the help of the community. At 9.30am an off-duty fire officer made the discovery of the young child’s body.”

The police stressed that the matter is still a ‘live investigation’ but noted that cases involving children have an added urgency.

A visibly determined and steadfast Commissioner said the case had taken a personal toll on him as a father and ensured the public that everything would be done to bring justice for Alissady. In response to questions about the cost of the investigation he said that was not and should not be a factor in seeking justice, especially when a child is involved.

All three persons in custody are being held for alleged murder, neglect and accessory after the fact.

A follow up communiqué received from the RRCIPS after Thursday’s press briefing noted:

“We feel it is important to clarify that communication with the family of Alissady has been ongoing throughout the case. Whenever there has been a significant development to report, this information was passed onto the family. Outside of this, timely responses have always been provided to both sides of the family when they have enquired directly with Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay regarding progress of the case, and this has continued.

“That said, the family was not specifically informed of the planned arrests prior to the fact, but were updated once they were made.

“Regarding the cause of death, this is ultimately the decision of the coroner. As discussed during the press briefing, Pathologist Dr Lockyer provided an opinion, which has informed the direction of the investigation.”