Jamaica Govt minister suggests: Attackers knew Coudray-Greaves

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill says from his knowledge of the investigations into the disappearance of Michelle Coudray-Greaves, he is confident that very soon the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be able to arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.

McNeill said he had only returned to the country on Thursday, but was briefed on the matter. He said he was particularly hurt that a Caricom citizen who loved Jamaica so much was reportedly murdered. “Any time we have a young mother cut down it is hard, I am very hurt about it, more so as we try to build and deepen our region.

“We have to reach out to Ms Coudray’s family and ensure everything is done to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and quite frankly from all I have heard I am very optimistic that the police will be able to track down and very soon bring the perpetrators to justice.” The charred remains of a woman, believed to be those of Coudray-Greaves, were found in a canefield on the outskirts of Montego Bay, Jamaica on Monday afternoon.

Coudray-Greaves had been living in Montego Bay and had been teaching Spanish and French at Cornwall College. Coudray-Greaves is the daughter of San Fernando mayor Marlene Coudray, who is also here in Jamaica, and who presented her daughter’s dental records as the police try to make a positive identification of Coudray-Greaves.

In an interview at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here in Montego Bay, Jamaica, McNeill suggested that those responsible knew Coudray-Greaves. “There are a number of issues that have emerged. I know the police have some persons that they are having discussions with, and it seems to have issues of relationships, and we have to look at it,” he said.

He said the issue of crime in the Caribbean had to be attacked at its heart and that the unacceptable levels of crime throughout the region were a reflection of the several tentacles of the same crime. Coudray has been taking care of Michelle’s children, who are 11, seven and five, in Trinidad since earlier this year.

Michelle, who was separated from her Jamaican husband, previously worked with Air Jamaica and at the Sandals Resort. She had last visited Trinidad for her son’s birthday on May 6. Michelle stayed for three weeks before returning to Jamaica. She reportedly called home on May 31 to say she had arrived safely.

Reports indicate that Michelle was last seen at about 12.30 am on June 2 in the Cornwall Courts area of St James, close to her rented apartment. The alarm was raised last week when Coudray’s estranged son-in-law’s mother called her and expressed concern that Michelle could not be found, after she failed to keep a date to visit the family. The family made a report to the police, whose investigations subsequently led to the tragic discovery.