In a bombshell revelation that has left a press conference stunned and reignited concerns about justice and accountability, Commissioner of Police Verne Garde has confirmed that key pieces of evidence have mysteriously gone missing in two of the most high-profile criminal cases in Saint Lucia’s recent history; the deaths of Kimberly De Leon and Shakadan Daniel.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Thursday morning, where Commissioner Garde did not hold back in expressing frustration, concern, and a renewed commitment to pursuing justice despite the growing complications.
“I must be honest with the people of Saint Lucia,” he said gravely. “We are in a position where the exhibit itself has been removed from its sealed position and is no longer available for assessment… It’s a very unfortunate situation, a very sad situation.”
“Very Good Breakthrough” Undermined by Missing Evidence
The alarming development came in relation to the 2018 murder of Kimberly De Leon, an accountant wi Theon the public service who was found shot to death in her home at Morne Fortune.
Her husband, a police officer, was identified as a person of interest but was subsequently cleared by the RSLPF.
Commissioner Garde revealed that investigators had recently made a “very, very good breakthrough” in the case, reviving hope for long-awaited answers. But in a shocking turn of events, that breakthrough has been compromised.
“We needed to secure the exhibits,” Garde explained. “We had to follow up with the exhibit room at the Special Services Unit Armory. As we speak today, we are not in a position to have secured this exhibit.”
The exhibit in question is a firearm which was sent overseas for testing.
He confirmed that Kimberly De Leon’s mother has been informed of the situation, saying, “That is the kind of approach we think we should have in all matters.”
Equally disturbing was the update on the 2013 death of Shakadan Daniel, the 22-year-old Micoud resident who was found hanged in a cell at the Micoud Police Station under suspicious circumstances.
His death sparked national outrage and accusations of police brutality and misconduct.
“We have had a renewed vigor in pursuing this matter,” said Commissioner Garde. “A search was carried out on Monday to locate the primary exhibit; the noose allegedly used in the hanging.”
But what investigators found instead sent stunned to e COP and the investigators; the noose was missing.
Worse yet, it had been removed from its sealed evidence container, violating chain-of-custody protocols and potentially obstructing justice in the case.
“It is no longer available for assessment by the RSLPF. That is the current, and very concerning, position,” the Commissioner admitted.
Commissioner Garde hinted that the disappearance of evidence may suggest more than mere negligence, stating ominously, “The disappearance of any piece of evidence tends to make closure more difficult. However, it’s also an indicator of other interests or parties involved in this matter.”
This latest disclosure by Commissioner Garde is suggesting potential sabotage, cover-up within the very institutions meant to protect and serve. However, despite the setbacks, Commissioner Garde says his office remains committed to pursuing both cases with increased intensity.
“I will not stand by and reside in an institution where exhibits go missing. We are going to look closer. We are going to press harder.”
