Dominica police constable charged with murder of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul

Constable Jean Langlais has been charged with murder and remanded to prison. The teen's remains were found in a remote precipice after a two-day search.

Dominica officer remanded over killing of missing teenager

A serving police constable in Dominica has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul, whose decomposing remains were found in a remote precipice following an extensive search, m.sknvibes.com reports. Police Commissioner Lincoln Corbette made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday, 13 August.

The accused, Constable Jean Langlais, has been formally charged and remanded to the Dominica State Prison to await trial. He appeared before a magistrate on 13 August, one day after the charge was laid.

Corbette called the development a significant breakthrough and promised that justice would be pursued for the teenager and her family. "We will leave no stone unturned," Corbette said. "Anyone who had any involvement in the disappearance and murder of this young child will face the full force of the law."

Investigators received intelligence on 10 August that prompted officers, together with members of the Fire and Ambulance Services, to begin a search. The operation was suspended that evening due to fading light and resumed early the following morning.

On 11 August, search teams located human remains in a remote precipice. Police subsequently confirmed that the remains belonged to the missing teenager. Langlais was charged late on 12 August.

Corbette said the investigation had drawn on assistance from local, regional and international law enforcement agencies, including the Regional Security System (RSS). He defended the decision to release limited public information during the probe, stating that investigators had deliberately withheld details to protect the integrity of the case.

The commissioner also noted that Langlais had been held in police custody for several days before the information became public, emphasising that the investigation had proceeded methodically rather than with premature announcements.

Corbette extended condolences to Jerbiah Paul's family and the wider Dominican community.

Police have stated that investigations are ongoing and have not ruled out further arrests.

Source: Google News DM — Crime