The body of a woman who had been missing since Sunday was recovered from the Black River in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, on Tuesday by divers from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard.
The deceased woman has been identified as 50-year-old Nicole Brown of Barton Wharf district, Lacovia.
Brown had been reported missing after she was last seen by relatives on Sunday night. According to reports, concerns grew when she failed to return home or make contact throughout Monday.
Police said Brown’s 41-year-old partner was attacked by residents on Monday night after they accused him of killing her and disposing of her body in the Black River. Officers intervened and rescued the man from the mob before taking him into custody.
Preliminary reports indicate that shortly before midnight, residents confronted the man and questioned him about Brown’s disappearance. As suspicions mounted, some residents reportedly searched Brown’s home and discovered that several of the man’s personal belongings were no longer there, leading them to believe he had fled.
Residents subsequently launched a search for the man and reportedly intercepted him while he was attempting to leave the area late Monday. He was allegedly assaulted before police arrived and removed him from the scene.
On Tuesday, JDF Coast Guard divers conducted a search of the Black River and recovered Brown’s partially nude body.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Brown’s death are ongoing.