Two held in Merissa Auguste murder case as RSLPF warns against false reports

Two people are in custody over the strangulation death of 21-year-old Merissa Auguste. Police urge the public to stop sharing unverified missing persons claims online.

Two arrested in Auguste case as police flag surge of misinformation on social media

Two people are in police custody in connection with the death of 21-year-old Merissa Auguste, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confirmed this week, as St Lucia Times reports the force has issued a public warning against the spread of unverified information about missing persons and alleged kidnappings.

Auguste had been reported missing on September 10. Her body was discovered along the Millennium Highway on September 11. A post-mortem conducted on September 14 determined that she died from strangulation. The two individuals now in custody are assisting the Major Crimes Unit with its investigation.

The Auguste case is among 11 missing persons reports the RSLPF received between August 1 and September 14. Nine of those cases were resolved after the individuals returned safely. One person remains unaccounted for: 59-year-old James Hunter Noel, also known as "Ti Jame," of Fond Joyeux, Vieux Fort.

Alongside the update on missing persons cases, police issued a statement on Wednesday warning the public about the circulation of false and unverified information on social media platforms and messaging applications. Officers said they had observed unverified voice notes, exaggerated claims, and information falsely attributed to the police spreading in recent days.

The RSLPF stressed that only information officially confirmed by police should be treated as accurate. Spreading false reports, officers said, can cause public fear, put individuals at risk, and actively hinder ongoing investigations. The public was urged not to confront anyone based on claims circulating online.

Police also noted that some messages currently in circulation could constitute offences under the Computer Misuse Act, and warned that legal action may follow where evidence of a violation exists.

Anyone with genuine information about criminal activity or suspicious behaviour is asked to contact police through official channels, including the Crime Hotline at 555.

Source: St Lucia Times