Retired couple found dead in 8-bedroom home on island paradise
Police suspect a retired couple found dead in their eight-bedroom Jamaican home on Friday were murdered.
The British grandparents, Charlie and Gayle Anderson, were married for 55 years and have been described by family as “hugely popular and loved by many”.
The couple’s sons said in a statement that they are “completely devastated” about the death of their parents who had only recently moved from Manchester to the Caribbean island.
“They were just beginning the next chapter of their lives, retiring to Jamaica before this terrible tragedy,” the statement said.
“They were hardworking people, building a business with integrity and making sure we were always provided for.”
According to the Sun, Mrs Anderson had reported fraudulent purchases on her credit cards totalling more than A$89,000 to police.
The 71-year-old reportedly travelled to the UK a couple of weeks ago as part of the investigation to retrieve bank documents.
The Sunday Gleaner, a Jamaican newspaper, also reports that according to a family member 45 transactions occurred without her knowledge between August 2017 and May 2018 at supermarkets and hardware stores in Portland.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of the same person or people who carried out the fraudulent activity being behind the deaths, however investigations are ongoing with investigators yet to make a breakthrough.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Throyville Haughton told the publication Mr Anderson’s body was partially burnt.
“Shortly after, the body of the elderly woman was found at a different location with burns to the body also. Both bodies had wounds to the neck and face.
“However, we are not yet able to say what might have caused those injuries.”
The couple are said to have had a happy marriage and leave behind four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
