In Jamaica, fears are running rampant that two women were killed because they were supposedly in a lesbian relationship—and the proper response is for the country’s authorities to investigate what transpired, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated in a letter to the Jamaican government.
On June 29, the bodies of Candice Williams and Phoebe Myrie were found dumped in a septic pit behind a home they shared in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, according to the HRW Web site. Police named an estranged male partner of Williams as the prime suspect, and added that the perceived relationship between the women was the likely motive for what happened.
An autopsy showed that they died from multiple stab wounds. The Jamaican Gleaner reported that police recovered a pillow, a knitted sheet, teddy bear and an adult DVD movie case from the pit along with the scantily clad bodies.
Propelled by what it says is inaction taken against the suspect, HRW fired off a letter to the Jamaican government. Jessica Stern, researcher for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at HRW, said in a statement that ‘ [t] he authorities must properly investigate this horrific murder and send a message that hatred has no place in society.’
According to The Jamaican Gleaner, police believe that Dwayne Lewis, Williams’ boyfriend, can provide clues concerning what happened.