GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (Wednesday, October 3, 2012) -On Friday, September 21, the Police were informed about a possible crime scene in a house at the Ocean Club Resort in Cupecoy. Upon arrival Police discovered the lifeless bodies of US Citizens Michael William KING, age 53 and his wife, Thelma Strickland KING, age 57 who had sustained lethal stab wounds. The motive of the crime was yet unclear.

On Saturday, September 22, Family members of the deceased arrived in Sint Maarten and were escorted to the Police station where they talked to the Police and the prosecutors and Later that day identified both victims in the funeral home.

Then on Monday, September 24 , The suspect, identified as M.K.J., a 28 year old male, born in Jamaica, heavily resisted his arrest, was taken to the police station for questioning.. Meanwhile an autopsy were done on both victims to determine the cause of death.

Moreover, the Public Prosecutor’s office informed in a release on Monday, October 1, that the Police arrested a second suspect in the Cupe Coy case around 3.45 that same day. The release further stated that after an intensive search last weekend and Monday, Police managed to track down 17 year old J.C. M. and arrested him on the street in the Cole Bay area.  

Furthermore, today, Wednesday Public Prosecutor, Hans Mos informed the suspect M.K.J. admits involvement in the violent deaths of Michael and Thelma King and in the Happy Star robbery on September 26 2012. This morning J. was led before the judge of instruction. The judge granted the prosecution’s demand for his pre-trial detention for a first term of eight days.

The second suspect, 17 year old J.C. M., will have his custody prolonged by the prosecutor today, Wednesday. M will be led before the judge of instruction tomorrow who will evaluate the extent of the detention.

The release concluded by stating that the suspect and the lawyer only are allowed to have contact with one another about this case.