Police in St Vincent detain three people after burnt bodies discovered

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Police in St Vincent say three people are assisting their investigation into the discovery of two burnt bodies in Park Hill, a rural village, northeast of the capital, on Monday.

The police have since identified the bodies as that of Marvin Barker and Calvert 'Vert' Smart and that their charred bodies were discovered at the back of a house with their limbs bound.

In a statement, the police said that they are continuing their “intensive investigation” and have described the arrest of the three individuals as “a significant development.

“This progress underscores the force's resolve in uncovering the truth behind this tragic incident,” police said.

While the police have not named the people assisting their investigations, media reports said that one of the individuals is a man who had been questioned in connection with the death of Quentin Harvey Hackshaw, whose body was found lying on a road on March 26.

Initial reports said that his throat was slashed, but an autopsy concluded that Hacksaw may have been stabbed multiple times with a sharp object. 

The pathologist also noted blunt force trauma to the back of Hackshaw's head.

The police have urged the public to assist in the investigations into the deaths at Park Hill, saying “all information received will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

“Your cooperation is indispensable as we work together to bring closure to this case,” the police said, promising that more details would be made available as more information becomes available.

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