MOUNT CAREY, St James (Jamaica Observer) – A post-mortem on the body of John Terry, the 64-year-old honorary British consul, showed that he died from asphyxia due to ligature strangulation associated with other injuries to the neck and head.
His blood-drenched body was discovered at his home in this rural district Wednesday.
Terry was apparently killed by someone known to him as officers said their examination of the home found no forced entry or signs of a break-in.
“The police are seeking to trace all persons who were recently in the company of Mr Terry,” a statement from the constabulary said.
“Some personal items from the house may have been taken and again police are seeking any information relating to these items, which include a Motorola (flip type) cell phone,” the statement added.
The police reported that Terry’s body, which was wrapped in a sheet, was discovered by his gardener about 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.
He was employed as a maintenance manager at the Half Moon Hotel up to the time of his death. He worked previously as a manager at the Round Hill Hotel.
According to Constable Richam Davis of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the police, who responded to a report, found Terry lying on his back in his bed with a piece of cloth tied around his neck. He was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Residents who had gathered at the entrance to Terry’s home claimed that a young man was seen leaving the home of the deceased the night before he was found dead. The young man, one woman said, asked residents how he could get a taxi to Montego Bay, and they believe he had gone to visit Terry’s gardener.
“If me had the slightest idea that he killed him (Terry) it would be double murder,” a grim-faced woman remarked.
Residents spoke highly of Terry, who resided in the community for more than a decade.
“Him too good fe dead,” one woman resident said.
Justices of the peace, who had gathered for a meeting in Montego Bay, where Terry was scheduled to attend, were in a sombre mood when they received the news about the death of their colleague.
“It is unbelievable; we are just gathering here for a meeting planned before. His death has caused a lot of shock and will receive a lot of sympathy,” said George Corrodus, the recently-appointed custos of St James.
“He was supposed to be at my installation. We tried to get him this (Wednesday) morning just to confirm his attendance, but several calls were made and there was no response,” Corrodus said.
