Archive for October 13th, 2008
Community pays tribute to Estella Scott-Roberts
(CNS): The Members of the Legislative Assembly stood for a minute in silence on Monday morning (13 October) to mourn the death of Estella Scott-Roberts. And as her colleagues at Cable & Wireless expressed their greif, her fellow members of the Human Rights committee paid tribute to her tireless work.
Eden noted that the government would provide all assistance needed to solve the crime and he said he would be calling on His Excellency the Governor Stuart Jack who has responsibility for the police to act immediately
To the perpetrators the Minister said, “We will not be silenced; we will not be afraid; and justice will prevail.” He promised her family that her work would continue, and “we will carry her in our hearts forever.”
He invited MLAs to take part in Saturday’s (18 October) Silent Witness march, organised by the Business and Professional Women’s Club that annually remembers women slain in abusive relationships. The march is from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting at the Government Administration Building and ending at the Legislative Assembly steps.
Meanwhile the Human Rights Committee on which Scott-Roberts served also extended its deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.
"Estella worked tirelessly to make our community a better place for women, men, young persons, and our wider community as a whole. She was a much-needed role model for young girls and to her beloved Caymanian people," the committee said. "Estella’s colleagues at the HRC will be paying tribute to her at the upcoming Silent Witness March at 12:30pm on Saturday, 18 October 2008 and the HRC strongly encourages the entire Cayman community to also support the march."
Memebrs of the HRC said they were honoured to count her as one if its members and were forever thankful for her service and work to make the Cayman Islands a better place. They added that the HRC remains committed to continuing Estella’s hard work to ensure and protect the rights of women and children, two of the most vulnerable groups in our society.
Her employers Cable & Wireless released a statement on Monday afternoon calling on the community to come together. Country Manager Tony Ritch (left) said people needed to support the police by providing any information that may help with this investigation regardless of how insignificant it might seem.
“The International Cable & Wireless family has been reeling reeling from the news this weekend that has shocked the entire Cayman nation,” the firm said in a public statement. “A search for missing Corporate Communications Manager Estella Scott-Roberts resulted in her burnt-out vehicle being found with unidentifiable remains inside, believed to be hers."
Country Manager Tony Ritch expressed the shock of all of Scott Robert’s colleagues at the firm.
“We are all distraught beyond words because of the horrific discovery on Saturday; our shock is shared by colleagues across the entire Cable & Wireless family. While we await formal identification of the remains that were found, we all fear the worst for our colleague and dear friend, Estella Scott-Roberts,” he said. “We need our entire country to come together in support of this investigation, so that the person or people responsible for this despicable and dreadful act can be quickly found and brought to justice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Estella’s family and friends at this time.”
Tourist dies diving off north shore of Brac
(CNS): A 53 year-old man from Georgia, USA passed away while diving on Sunday (12 October) in Cayman Brac. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) has begun an investigation following the receipt of a call to the 911 Emergency Communications Centre at around 10.40 am reporting that a diver had got into difficulties following a boat dive off the north shore of Cayman Brac.
“It would appear that the deceased got into difficulties while swimming back to the dive boat after his first dive,” said Sergeant Matthew Dawson. “He lost consciousness while being assisted back to the vessel and despite prolonged CPR and other first aid efforts by the staff on board, never regained consciousness.”
The diver, who was an experienced and fully qualified diver, was subsequently pronounced dead. Police are investigating the cause of the tragedy and express sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. The deceased had been on board a vessel operated by Reef Divers and was in a group of tourists from Georgia in the U.S.A who arrived on the island on 11 October.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). 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.
Police follow multiple leads
(CNS): Detective Chief Inspector Peter Kennett said the investigation team is following a number of lines of enquiry regarding the murder of Estella Scott Roberts at the weekend. He said some of the leads focus on work that Scott-Roberts carried out in the past but this was not the sole focus of the investigation with other lines of enquiry also being pursued as police keep an open mind and explore all possibilities.
A team of experienced detectives are working with Kennett who has over 20 years experience in investigating serious crime. “We understand that this investigation is drawing a lot of interest and concern from the community,” said Mr Kennett. “A number of lines of enquiry are being carried out. There is a lot of police work to do and we are all working as hard and as best as we can to find out what has taken place,” Kennett said.
Police reported that the Initial forensic examinations of the vehicle have been completed and a number of items have been recovered that may assist in confirming the identity of the victim. Forensic Pathologist, Dr Bruce Hyma had arrived in Grand Cayman and was expected to examine the remains today. (Monday 13 October)
The opinion of fire experts is likely to be sought as investigations continue into the cause of the fire although police said it is clear that an accelerant was used.
Some additional items have also been seized for forensic analysis. Following independent searches of the Barkers area by friends of Scott-Roberts, Scenes of Crime Officers collected a number of items from a site around 1-mile away from where the vehicle was found. These include birthday confetti similar to that which was present at the dinner, as well as some other items.
“It is too early to jump to conclusions about these items,” said Kennett. “What we can say is that they have been seized and will be examined to find out if they bear any significance to this investigation.”
Addressing various concerns within the community he said that the rumours circulating suggesting a series of rapes have recently taken place in West Bay were unfounded.
“This is not the case,” he said. “Another item of discussion is that this case bears similarities to that of the late Frederic Bise. There is no evidence that the two are connected other than by coincidence,” added Kennett
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) also wants to confirm that the location where Estella was last seen, the car park adjacent to Decker’s, was treated as a crime scene and processed by Scenes of Crime Officers immediately. The scene was later released once all forensic examinations had been exhausted.
Investigators are continuing to appeal for information about the movements of Scott-Roberts and her vehicle after 11.30pm on Friday night (10 October). Anyone who saw her car or anything suspicious in the West Bay area should contact police immediately, no matter how insignificant the information may seem. Kennett also noted that the concerns raised in the community about safety and he said everybody should always be aware of their surroundings whether they are here or abroad.
“We are a small community and we need to keep an eye out for each other. Keep watch on your neighbourhood and if you spot suspicious behaviour, report it to the police,” he added.
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.
Murder not in Deckers car park
(CNS): The car park from where Estella Scott-Roberts appears to have been abducted before she was murdered was not part of Deckers restaurant, owner Markus Mueri has said. Mueri told CNS that he has come under a lot of criticism for the fact that the car park was not well lit, but he says that they do not own the area where it appears the abduction took place.
Their own car park, which is adjacent to the crime scene, is well lit and in fact that night there was a mini golf tournament taking place and there were lots of people around.
“People like to come here because they are comfortable.We are a family restaurant and Estella chose to have her birthday here because of the friendly atmosphere. We don’t have fights,” said Mueri, who said he talked to Estella that night and saw her leave.
“The most important thing is that they find the person who did this. It could have happened anywhere,” he said. Mueri also said that there has been some speculation that this was reminiscent of another murder in which the body was burned. There are false rumours that the victim in this case was also abducted from Deckers car park, said Mueri.
“That is not true,” he said. “The other gentleman came here between 5:00 and 5:30 that night for some beverages and left between 6:00 and 6:30 and went somewhere else.”
Other people speculating on what happened have noted that in violent deaths of women the husband is always the first suspect. In this case, Scott-Roberts’ husband has been categorically ruled out as a suspect by police.
NRA goes to war on nature
(CNS): Overgrown hedges protruding over fences, hedges planted beyond boundary lines and landscaping at the front of properties as well as large boulders placed at the roadside are among the target of a National Roads Authority (NRA) campaign to clear local roads of obstructions.
The NRA said it wished to remind the public that it is an offence to obstruct the roadside or road shoulder that fronts private properties. Familiar obstructions include overgrown hedges that protrude over fences or garbage receptacles positioned too close to the road among others.
The NRA said there were even more hazardous obstructions such as freight containers, often left on the road for off-loading in front of private properties. These pose a great risk for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, especially at night on narrow streets the NRA added.
The Authority stated that encroachments of sidewalks and road corridors comprise a violation of Section 16 of the Roads Law. Such infringements may also extend to landscaping efforts made on the narrow strips of ground fronting private properties.
“It may help to remember that the majority of Cayman’s roadways consist of a carriageway (for motor vehicles) and a narrow strip (usually 3-10 ft wide) for pedestrians,” said NRA Transportation Planner Marion Pandohie. “What is inside your property is yours to do with as you will, but land beyond your property or fence line is considered public roadway.”
Under the Roads Law, road encroachments can carry fines of up to $5,000 and after serving notice, the NRA may remove or reduce the obstruction at cost to the owner. The Authority will be systematically striving to address these infringements.
IMF boss says international cooperation key
(CNS): Comparing the current financial crisis to the great depression of the 1930s Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Chairman of the Executive Board and Managing Director of the IMF has said the world today is a very different place with tools to manage markets and economies and to succeed he said the world must do three things — act quickly, act comprehensively and co-operate.
“An upsurge of nationalism was one of the worst consequences of the great depression, but it was also one of its causes,” said Strauss-Kahn. “European countries argued with each other instead of finding solutions to their common problems. The United States gave a low priority to trade, and favoured tariffs. We can act cooperatively. This weekend the IMFC, representing 185 countries, endorsed an action plan formulated on Friday by the G7. The centre piece of this plan is a stronger than ever commitment to use all available tools to support systemically important financial institutions. The plan outlines specific mechanisms that countries can use to support the system, jump-start credit, and restore confidence.”
Speaking to the Board of Governors of the IMF at the Joint Annual Discussion, 2008 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Washington DC, on Monday 13 October he stressed that promoting international monetary cooperation is the very first responsibility of the IMF.
“International cooperation has not been good enough. Until this weekend, the collapse in confidence in the markets has been almost matched by a collapse in confidence between countries. We saw a very bad trend toward unilateral measures taken with national interests in mind. Now things are beginning to turn around. Last week we saw coordinated moves by major central banks. This weekend we have gone much further: we have a G7 plan which envisages action on all of the major financial market issues; we have the endorsement of that plan by the entireinternational community; and, last but not least, we have an action plan in the euro zone,” he added.
However Strauss-Kahn said there was still some way to go and countries must talk to each other about policies, and consider the effects of the actions on partners. He said there was a need to deploy all of the instruments of modern macroeconomic policy to limit the damage to the real economy.
“The most obvious use of fiscal policy is precisely to ease pressures where they are greatest: in the financial and housing sectors. But governments that can afford it should also be ready to undertake a broader fiscal stimulus,” the Directed stated.
“Emerging economies have differing degrees of freedom to act. Some can afford to draw reserves down to finance a temporary and sudden shortfall in capital flows. Others will need to raise policyinterest rates in line with rising risk premia to stem outflows and bolster confidence in their currencies. Some may need help, and possibly very substantial help.”
He explained that the IMFC called on the Fund to offer financial support to members that need it, and that it has activated emergency procedures to respond quickly to urgent requests, with high access financial programs, based on streamlined conditionality that focuses on crisis response priorities.
‘Developing countries need help too. They face reduced export demand and reduced access to trade credit. And many are already suffering from the other crisis—the food and fuel crisis that has strained budgets and balances of payments, and raised inflation and living costs,” he added stating the fund and the World Bank would support those countries with advice, technical assistance and financial support. He said despite the circumstances it was very important that donors do not respond to the crisis by cutting aid to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.
When it came to learning lessons he said the crisis in financial markets is the result of three failures: a regulatory and supervisory failure in advanced economies; a failure in risk management in the private financial institutions; and a failure in market discipline mechanisms.
“Preventing a recurrence of these failures will require an international effort, because borders do not confine financial institutions or keep out financial turmoil,” Strauss-Kahn added. “We need greater reliance on multilateral institutions with near universal membership, so that all countries that are affected by crises have a voice in resolving them.”
He said it would be dynamic reform that will produce results over time.
“We can emerge from this crisis so long as we act quickly, comprehensively, and cooperatively. The Fund will do its part. But much will depend on you: finance ministers and central bank governors, representatives of your countries, to take the actions needed to restore confidence and stability,” he said adding that when the board next met he hoped that it would be said this was when the international recovery began, because the nations of the world, chose to act together.
Antartica may become refuge
(Telegraph): Climate change will force refugees to move to Antarctica by 2030, researchers have predicted. Among future scenarios are the Olympics being held in cyberspace and central Australia being abandoned, according to the think tank report. Forum for the Future, a research body committed to sustainable development, said they wanted to stir debate about how to avert the worst effects of global warming by presenting a radical set of ‘possible futures’. Go to article.
Cayman shows off in Canada
(CNS): The Cayman Islands’ latest marketing strategy along with its food music and culture were on display recently during Toronto’s Caribbean week. The Department of Tourism was a major sponsor of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s annual promotional event giving the department a chance to advance the destination within a strategically important market place.
“Caribbean Week provides a valuable opportunity for the Cayman Islands to reach out to the travel industry, influential media and consumers to share what makes our three islands unique as a travel destination,” said Shomari Scott, Acting Director of Tourism. “With the wide range of events held we were able to show the diversity of our destination, giving Canadians a taste of the Cayman Islands and hopefully inspiring them to want more.”
The event started with a cocktail party held at the contemporary Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Minister of Tourism, Charles Clifford welcomed members of the travel industry, financial partners and the media for an event that was billed, “Discover the Colours of the Cayman Islands”. The following day keynote speaker Rebecca Grinnals of Engaging Concepts sponsored by the Department of Tourism spoke about the changing face of today’s destination bride and groom, referencing the Cayman Islands as a destination that is leading the way in offering one-of-a-kind weddings that answer to today’s discerning bride to be.
On Thursday the Media Marketplace and Caribbean Awards Luncheon provided an opportunity for the Department of Tourism PR team to mingle with influential travel media. At the event, renowned Caymanian Steel Pan Artist, Earl La Pierre Junior, played for the crowd and Chef Vidyadhara Shetty of Grand Cayman Beach Suites, assisted by Desiree Ebanks of the Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme, prepared local delicacies. Before serving each dish, chefs from various Caribbean nations presented their dishes. Chef Shetty, who prepared Jumbo Lump Crab as an appetizer, showed how the dish is prepared and spoke about his love for the Cayman Islands.
On the final day the DoT took part in a fair at Yonge-Dundas Square, one of Toronto’s busiest areas. Again Chef Vidyadhara Shetty wowed the crowds with cooking demonstrations and samples of Caymanian flavours. That evening, the Rum and Rhythm Festival capped off a successful week, providing an opportunity to introduce Canadians to Seven Fathoms Ru
New dawn for Hedge Funds
(CNS): While the future of the Hedge Fund sector may look a little less rosy than in recent times, local expert Ingrid Pierce (left) says it’s not all doom and gloom. Reports say funds are still being formed in the Cayman Islands with more than 100 funds formed last month. While there is no doubt that the industry has been severely affected by the world financial problems some funds are adopting strategies that could mitigate the worstaffects and even help the sector flourish.
There is no denying however, that the slide in asset prices and the insolvency of Lehman Brothers has had its toll and there certainly is trouble ahead for the industry. Ingrid Pierce, Partner in Corporate and International Finance Department at Walkers explains what the fundamental problems are. “The industry had to deal with the temporary restriction on short selling of certain stocks, which in some cases represented an important part of its trading strategy,” she said. “Rules requiring hedge funds to disclose short positions are expected to come into effect in the near future.”
She explained that given the uncertainty in the markets, many hedge funds have received requests from investors to withdraw their capital.
“Funds with limited liquidity are unable to satisfy these requests or face having to liquidate assets on a forced sale basis, which means they will have to return less value to their investors. Funds therefore have to take steps to maximise returns to investors while ensuring that all investors (including those that have not sought to withdraw their capital) are treated equally. This has led to an increase in funds limiting the withdrawals that investors can make (provided the fund documents permit) or suspending redemptions, which effectively prevents all investors from withdrawing from the fund,” Pierce explained.
It is however these techniques that she says will allow funds to weather the storm and continue to operate although inevitably some will terminate.
“The solution for each fund may be very different and we are advising our clients on a whole range of options, each specifically tailored to the facts and circumstances of the fund,” Pierce added. “What we have seen over the past month is that new hedge funds continue to be formed in the Cayman Islands and new registration statistics through to the end of September have remained robust. The trend evident over the past year where new funds have been formed to pick up distressed and underpriced assets has also continued.”
Pierce believes that Cayman’s hedge funds sector will continue to thrive even with a shift in focus to the short to medium term.
“As many commentators have said, while huge outflows from funds are not expected, even a small outflow, combined with funds building up their own cash levels, could depress stock prices. However, there are several techniques that funds in distress can adopt to mitigate the effect of poor liquidity through proper advice and structuring (or restructuring). The most important message is for funds to act quickly at the first sign of distress, take proper advice and communicate with investors, service providers and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority,” she noted.
Even though hedge funds are down in absolute terms, in relative terms Pierce says they have still outperformed the general stock market. “Given the current highly volatile markets, we need to watch closely to see if this trend continues.”
Whether or not the US Bail out will benefit Cayman remains to be seen and Pierce believes that the important thing is for the US government to see the jurisdiction as a conduit to facilitate the international flow of capital between jurisdictions, both to and from the US. For example, new hedge funds continue to be formed in the Cayman Islands by non-US investors, providing much needed investment capital and liquidity for the US capital and credit markets,” she said adding that if the US government remains neutral and does not seek to interfere with the way in which Cayman Islands funds are structured, both jurisdictions will see the benefits.
Police need help to find killer
(CNS): Police are appealing to the community to come forward with any information they may have regarding what is now considered to be the murder of Estella Scott-Roberts. Chief Inspector Peter Kennett, the Senior Investigating Officer said the body found in a burnt out car just east ofShorewinds Trail in The Shores, West Bay, is so badly burned that there may never be a formal identification but police are now working on the assumption that is the body of Scott-Roberts.
The murder of the Cable and Wireless Communications Manager and former Director the Crisis Centre Scott Roberts (33) 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.
While the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service says it may never be possible to get a positive ID even with DNA because of the severity of the fire, and much will rest with the forensic pathologist, Dr Hyma who was flown in from Miami on Sunday tonight, this is now a murder enquiry. The car, a black SUV 2007 Ford Edge license 129-257, is registered to Scott-Roberts who was last seen around 11:00pm on Friday night when she left Decker’s restaurant after diner.
Police are desperate for all and any information from the community. 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.
So far the police have stated categorically that Scott-Roberts’ husband Rayles Roberts is not in anyway a suspect in the enquiry and he was questioned merely to help piece together the victim’s movements. “He is no way a suspect whatsoever,” Kennett confirmed on Sunday 12 October at a Press Conference outside George Town Police Station where he appealed to the community for help.
He said that the police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen Scott Roberts or her car after she left Decker’s restaurant on Friday night at around 11-11:30 pm.
“A priority for us at this time is finding out what happened to Estella after she left Decker’s restaurant. It is crucial that we find out how her car got from the restaurant to West Bay,” he said. “We know she had dinner with friends and left the restaurant sometime between 11 and 11.30pm. We do not know how the vehicle got to West Bay. Did you see her in the car park after she left the restaurant? Did you see her car on the road? If you did, where was it heading? Who was in it? We need you to come forward.”
Kennett explained that police were still investigating how the fire was started.
“The vehicle is being forensically examined by Scenes of Crime officers and we will be seeking the opinion of fire experts. We believe the car would have been burning for some time and that the person who started the fire used some sort of accelerant, such as gas. If this is the case, it is possible that whoever did this went to get the gas overnight Friday into Saturday. This could have been from a gas station. If anyone has knowledge of gas being bought, maybe in a canister, or of gas being stolen from a storage facility, they need to come forward as this could be vital to our enquiry,” he added.
He said that police were also trying to establish how the perpetrator left the scene.
“We do not know how whoever started this fire left the Dykes. It could have been on foot, in a car or some other means of transport,” he said, urging taxi drivers who may have collected someone of interest from the West Bay area to come forward. “This may have been someone acting suspiciously, someone in a distressed state or someone who wanted collecting from the side of the road. Anything out of the ordinary could be important.” He also asked anyone who may have given someone a ride in the area to come forward.
Kennett said anyone who was in the area overnight or early Saturday morning, perhaps walking dogs, cycling or jogging, and saw something unusual should contact the police. Even if they consider their information to be insignificant, they should come forward, he added.
The fire would have been an absolute blaze, Kennett stated, and asked for people who may have seen flames or smoke in the area to call the police. “There is a possibility that the killer may have been burnt whilst setting the car alight – they may have suffered singed hair, eyebrows or clothes,” he said, asking people to come forward if anyone they know had appeared with burns.
He also said that the police would ask anyone along the West Bay Road who has CCTV footage that may have been taken of the actual the road area after 11pm to bring that film to the police so they can see if Scott-Roberts’ car shows up.
“This is clearly an extremely difficult time for Estella’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them. This worry has extended into the community and I want to reassure everybody that we are doing all we can to find out what has taken place. I now make an appeal to the public to do the same. If you have any information about Estella’s movements after 11pm on Friday or saw her vehicle or any suspicious activity in the Dykes or surrounding area, I ask you to contact us.”
Kennett said numerous lines of enquiry were being followed including one line of enquiry that Scott Roberts had been threatened. He also said that police were looking into the alleged release of a convicted offender from HMP Northward on Friday, at whose trial Scott Roberts reportedly had given evidence. A police spokesperson confirmed that the prison does not routinely inform the police when it releases any offenders.
Kennett also noted the coincidences surrounding that Scott–Roberts’ murder had with the murder of Swiss banker Frederic Bise whose body was found dead in a burning car in West Bay and who had last been seen at Decker’s restaurant the previous evening. “There are some things that are a bit of a coincidence perhaps both deceased had gone to Decker’s and both have ended up dead in a burning car but there is nothing other than that to link the two,” he said. He also stated that a man who was arrested in the area and currently in custody on suspicion of a drugs charge was not a suspect in the murder enquiry.
Dispelling other various rumours which have already circulated the police confirmed that the Decker’s car park from which Scott Roberts was abducted and where her shoes were found indicating a struggle, was treated as a crime scene and forensic evidence taken immediately. They confirmed however that the scene where the body was discovered was impaired by torrential rains destroying any tracks that the murderer may have left behind in his escape.
The car was eventually discovered by an officer from the Department of the Environment who were involved with the police in an extensive search triggered by a trace made on Scott-Roberts cell phone to the area.
Anyone who can assist should contact George Town police station on 949-4222 and ask for the Criminal Investigation Department or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.