Melissa Samnath (35) murdered in Jamaica: partner dropped her unconscious at hospital
New York woman Melissa Samnath was found dead at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Jamaica after her partner left her unconscious in a wheelchair. Her sister received desperate texts moments before her death.
New York woman killed on birthday trip to Jamaica; partner held as person of interest
Cafemom.com reports that Melissa Samnath, a 35-year-old Jamaican-born US citizen from New York, was found dead at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James, Jamaica, on April 29, 2026 — during what was meant to be a birthday celebration with her husband.
According to a statement published on Facebook by the Jamaica Constabulary Force on May 10, Samnath was brought to the hospital by a man named Dane Watson, who left the facility shortly after helping her out of a car. Hospital staff notified authorities when Samnath was pronounced dead. Television Jamaica reported she had been left at the hospital unconscious, seated in a wheelchair, with visible marks of violence on her body.
A post-mortem examination determined that Samnath died as a result of multiple blunt force traumas to the head, the Jamaica Constabulary Force confirmed in its Facebook post.
Investigators identified Watson as a person of interest in the murder case. Jamaican authorities said Samnath and Watson had married in December 2025, and that she had travelled to Jamaica to celebrate her birthday with him. On May 15, Watson was handed over to police by family members in Gayle, St. Mary, and taken into custody. Authorities confirmed the arrest the following day.
Samnath's sister, Liza Marie Samnath, told Television Jamaica that the family received alarming text messages from Melissa on the night she is believed to have been killed. When Liza asked "How's it going?", a response attributed to Melissa read: "I need you to call the cops. Look at my location. It's the pink house." When Liza asked her to share her location, the tracking data showed Melissa was not at the Airbnb address where she had been staying.
Liza Samnath also told Television Jamaica that the family has questions about whether the marriage to Watson was legitimate, though she did not elaborate on the reasons for that doubt.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to cover funeral and memorial costs describes Melissa Samnath as "a strong, loving, and unforgettable woman whose warmth touched everyone around her." The investigation into her death is ongoing.
Source: Google News JM — Crime