Missionaries were shot, one chopped - Simpson Miller and Baptist Union condemn murders

Autopsies on the bodies of the two American missionaries who were murdered in St Mary last weekend revealed that Randy Hentzel died of a gunshot wound and Harold Nichols of chop and gunshot wounds.

The Government's forensic pathologist did autopsies on the bodies of the two American missionaries yesterday. Their bodies were found in Albion Mountain, northwest St Mary, 24 hours apart.

Detectives yesterday attended a case conference at the Criminal Investigation Branch headquarters on Duke Street in Kingston to assess all the evidence collected so far in the investigations.

The Jamaican police said they would continue to be in touch with US Embassy officials and share the outcomes of the case conference as well as to discuss the possibility of partnering with American investigators.

Simpson Miller's condemnation

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has echoed the Government's condemnation of the murders. Simpson Miller was visiting Greenwich All Age School yesterday for Read Across Jamaica Day in her South West St Andrew constituency.

"One would have thought that missionaries would be protected, not harmed, not murdered. I really want to say to members of the family of the two missionaries, find strength in the Master, in Almighty God."

"It is sad, it is serious, and I want to take the opportunity to condemn those who dared to carry out that kind of crime. They are evil, wicked, and it is bad," Simpson Miller said.

The Jamaica Baptist Union has also condemned the murders. "The Jamaica Baptist Union mourns the loss of pastors Randy Hentzel and Harold Nichols ... . Several of our churches in St Mary, especially those in Mount Angus, Port Maria and Oracabessa circuits, have benefited from their ministry over the years," the Baptist Union said.

"They will be greatly missed and we continue to pray for their families and friends and this difficult time."