SAVAGERY

The police are following strong leads in the murder of acclaimed veteran journalist Barbara Gayle, who was found dead at her home in Caymanas Estate in St Catherine on Tuesday morning.

Gayle, known for her professionalism, compassion, and more than five decades of service with The Gleaner as one of Jamaica’s top court reporters, was discovered about 10 a.m. by a neighbour who went to check on the 77-year-old after she failed to follow her usual morning routine.

The last known sighting of Gayle was about 3:30 p.m. on Monday, when she was seen sitting on her front porch conversing with a man, neighbours recalled.

The man, whose identity was yet to be determined by the police up to late yesterday, was later captured on a doorbell camera footage calmly interacting with Gayle as she offered him a glass of water.

“Is like a somebody she know. I don’t know him. I never see him from mi a come here ... . I never see this guy yet, but it look like she know him good,” said Michael Daubon, Gayle’s cousin.

“Weh she name? Precious? Yea, man, mi and precious deh pon WhatsApp. Yuh want talk to her?” Gayle could be heard saying to the man.

Daubon said the camera was installed to boost security at the house, albeit inside a gated community, because Gayle lived alone.

“My last encounter with her was on Sunday when she prayed for me over the phone,” said Daubon.

He told The Gleaner that he had a gut feeling something was horribly wrong on Tuesday morning when he did not receive Gayle’s customary prayer quotes and inspirational message to start the day.

“When she lived at Duhaney Park, Cooreville Gardens, you would think if anything fi happen, a deh so mi expect dem something fi happen. [Not] in yah so, man,” a tearful Daubon said.

COMMUNITY IN DISBELIEF

The chilling discovery left several members of the usually quiet community in disbelief. Tearful and in shock, neighbours gathered behind crime scene tapes expressing horror, describing Gayle as a kind-hearted woman who was loved by all who knew her.

“She was a good woman. Even when you are having the saddest moment or having major challenges, she would just make it appear as if nothing is happening. And when she talks, you feel a sense of relief,” said a visibly shaken Phyllis Hall.

“She was a kind Christian woman. I don’t know who would want to kill such a kind, wonderful woman,” the neighbour added, noting the community’s shared grief.

Another neighbour, Donna Bennett, wept as she recalled their last interaction.

“I met Barbara when I started working in the community in 2016. The last time we spoke was Friday night at our prayer group. We had a wonderful time,” Bennett said.

She described Gayle as a loving person, deeply caring, and always willing to help others.

“Right now, my feet are weak. All now I can’t believe that she is gone. I wonder who would want to hurt her because she is a person that helps. She will give her last away,” Bennett told The Gleaner.

A police investigator said the killer gained access to the gated community by breaching a perimeter wall, heightening concerns about the safety of residents in such communities.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips said the intruder’s method of entry was being thoroughly investigated.

He described the murder as “horrible”, revealing that Gayle had multiple stab wounds to the right side of her neck and a wound to her forehead.

Her 2018 grey Mercedes-Benz 180 CL motorcar and her cell phone are also missing.

Phillips said the police are pursuing “strong leads” to crack the case.

“We are deeply saddened by this horrible tragedy,” added Phillips, the commander of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Area Five.

He said the police are seeking the man captured on video to assist with their investigation.

Despite the overwhelming grief, the community is determined to seek justice. Daubon, who often served as Gayle’s driver, emphasised the urgency with which the authorities must act.

“We have to find him and I don’t need them to take a year to find him. We have to find him now. This animal has to be found,” Daubon said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com