Murder enquiry continues

| 15/10/2008

(CNS): Following the completion of Forensic Pathologist Dr Bruce Hyma’s examination of the body found in a burnt out car in the Dykes in West Bay at the weekend, there is little doubt that it is that of Estella Scott-Roberts, police said on Tuesday, and follow up forensic tests will no doubt make this a positive identification. Investigators also said that they now believe the fire was started shortly before midnight onFriday night. (Photo: Area where car and body was found)

In a press statement released on Tuesday afternoon, 14 October, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said that a number of witnesses reportedly heard what they thought was gun shots followed by the sound of a car horn.  The police said that this was likely to be various parts of the car, such as tyres, headlights and airbags exploding after which the steering column would have melted setting off the horn but it is not known how long the vehicle would have burned for.

Detectives on the case continue to call for witnesses and said they are continuing to keep an open mind and following a number of lines of enquiry.

“There is much speculation about motives and suspects for this violent and tragic murder,” said Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Kennett. “We have a number of lines of enquiry that are all being followed and examined and we are working as hard as we can to ensure that all possible avenues are explored and exhausted before ruling them out.”

Although not able to comment in detail about the lines of inquiry being followed Kennett assured the community that all efforts are being made to find out what happened. “We are still piecing together the evidence to find out what happened to Estella after she left Deckers,” added Kennett. “The restaurant owners and their staff have been nothing but cooperative and we are now trying to trace everyone who was there that night. We’d also like to hear from anyone else who was in the area, perhaps playing mini-golf or visiting Bamboo or the Hyatt, who may have seen something important. I cannot stress enough that even the smallest piece of information may be crucial.”

Police noted that this is an extremely difficult time for the family and friends and offered their thoughts and prayers. The murder of the Cable and Wireless Communications Manager and former Director the Crisis Centre Scott Roberts (34) has sent shock waves through the Cayman Islands community. As an advocate for the rights of women and children, a warrior against violence and abuse and a member of the Human Rights Committee, Scott-Roberts was well-known and admired. 

Kennett also added his thanks to the community for their assistance so far and appealed for their continued support to help them in the investigation. Kennett is still asking for anyone who may have seen Scott-Roberts or her vehicle on Friday night to come forward. The car was a black SUV 2007 Ford Edge license 129-257 and Scott-Roberts was last seen around 11:00 pm on Friday night when she left Decker’s restaurant after diner. It is believed she was abducted from a car park between Decker’s and Buckingham Square from where her shoes were recovered.

Kennett said anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem to a member of the public, could turn out to be a crucial part of the jigsaw which the RCIPS is now putting together with regards to the last movements of Scott-Roberts and the search for her killer.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police immediately on 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). Any information could be crucial to this investigation. All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The above post is true. The only other known road is the Salt Creek Road which has been gated for sometime now. I came through this road block around 11:50pm and they were police on both sides of the road inspecting cars.  If  according to reports, Estella left Deckers around 11:30 and her car burnt around 12 then it MUST have past through this road block.  It could be that this road block was not taken into consideration and that the police may be a bit off on the timing of the car burning assuming that any person guilty of "abducting" or "killing" another would not dare go through a police road block but would have waited out somewhere until the road was cleared.  If on the other hand the car did go through the road block, then someone or persons must have seen her car in the slow moving traffic whether going towards West Bay or coming towards George Town including at least one of the officers on duty that night.  If so, I’m appealing to that someone to PLEASE come forward with what ever little info you may have. 

  2. Anonymous says:

    I was informed that the police had one of their random road blocks on Friday night sometime between 11 pm and midnight on West Bay Road, between the cemetery and Fosters. If this is correct then Estella’s vehicle would have been through the roadblock to get to Barkers unless there is another road leading there, this is based on the police press release that the vehicle was burnt sometime around midnight. I am hoping that maybe the police could look into the time of the roadblock and if it is possible to get to Barkers other than the main road through West Bay.