Jamaica: US Navy officer allegedly contracted men to murder spouse’s daughter and the kid’s mom

Authorities in Jamaica said a U.S. Navy officer allegedly contracted three male suspects to kidnap and murder a Member of Parliament’s 10-month-old daughter and the baby’s mother. 

Per Jamaica Observer, the suspect, identified as Leoda Bradshaw, was also in a relationship with the said MP and regarded him as her husband. Bradshaw and the MP, Phillip Paulwell, also share a child.

In an October 13 press release, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said 10-month-old Sarayah Paulwell and her mother, Toshyna Patterson, 27, were killed before their bodies were disposed of.

Authorities said Bradshaw, who resides in the United States, traveled to Jamaica on September 6 and arranged with Roland Balfour, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller to kidnap and murder the victims.

“During these conversations up to the 9th of September, 2023, there was an agreement made under the direction of Leoda Bradshaw for these men to kidnap and kill Toshyna Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell who was the product of a relationship that Ms Patterson had had with Mr Phillip Paulwell. This plan also contained part payment (which had been made) of a certain amount of money by Leoda Bradshaw to the men for the successful execution of the plan,” the ODPP said in the press release.

Patterson and her daughter were abducted on September 9. In the wake of their disappearance, Paulwell offered a $500,000 reward for information that would aid in locating his daughter and her mother, Jamaica Observer reported.

Authorities said Bradshaw has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder. Balfour, Brown, and Miller also face murder and kidnapping charges.

The United States (US) Navy Criminal Investigative Service has also launched an investigation into the case.