The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has identified the deceased male found in a dinghy near Great Camanoe on Saturday, July 27, as 29-year-old Jamal Freeman of Long Look.
The RVIPF confirmed Freeman’s identity in a media release on Sunday, stating that his family has been notified and is receiving support during this difficult time.
Freeman was discovered unresponsive on the drifting dinghy early Saturday morning and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, prompting the RVIPF to appeal to the boating community and the general public for any information that could assist in the investigation.
“If you were near Great Camanoe during the early hours of July 27 or have any relevant information, please come forward. Persons can confidently call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-8477 (TIPS) or the RVIPF Intelligence Department at 368-9339. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” the RVIPF stated.
Freeman had previously been the subject of a wanted bulletin earlier this year after escaping police custody on January 1, 2024. He had been seeking medical attention at Nurse Iris Oneal Clinic in Virgin Gorda when he fled, following his arrest for theft-related incidents.
Freeman was recaptured in April and subsequently charged with two counts of Theft, Resisting Arrest, Assault on Police, Escaping Lawful Custody, and Landing Without the Leave of an Immigration Officer.
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An unresponsive male discovered on a dinghy early Saturday morning was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) confirmed the incident, which occurred on July 27.
Officers from the RVIPF Marine Unit responded to a distress call shortly after 7:00 a.m., following reports of a male drifting on a dinghy between Marina Cay and Great Camanoe. Despite immediate transport to the hospital, the individual was declared deceased upon arrival.
Currently, the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown. The RVIPF has launched an investigation to ascertain the man’s identity and determine the events leading to his untimely death.
Authorities have not released further details but assured the public that more information will be provided as the investigation progresses.