Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
ST THOMAS, USVI: Two men from Queens, NY, visiting St Thomas to attend a wedding, 24-year-old Tristan Charlier, a Haitian-American, and 25-year-old Leon Roberts, believed to be Guyanese, were found shot to death during the early morning hours of June 15. US Virgin Islands police have said neither man had a criminal record.
By June 22, off-island news coverage of the murders seems to have all but ceased.
In contrast, media coverage of the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway in Aruba has remained continuous, around the clock. Holloway was last seen in the early hours of May 30 while on a trip with her Senior High School classmates.
The FBI sent a team of divers to search the waters surrounding Aruba and the agency continues its involvement, albeit as observers. To date, four men are being held for questioning relating to the case.
A special search team has now been deployed from the state of Texas and is expected to arrive in Aruba on Wednesday morning. Tourists and local residents have also volunteered to help in the search.
National US news and talk show hosts have been interviewing local officials and others connected with the investigation into Holloway's disappearance and providing the world with constant updates. One TV news anchor is "on location" in Aruba.
As the US Virgin Islands investigation continues, local police have been able to construct a time-line, leading up to the shooting, according to News Day. USVI tourism officials have expressed confidence in the US Virgin Islands Police Department.
Tourism Commissioner, Pamela Richards, and USVI Hotel Association President, Beverly Nicholson, agree that the police department has been working diligently to keep tourists safe.
"A safety and security committee was established long before this recent shooting took place," Nicholson said.
The tourism leaders have been meeting regularly, with USVI Police Commissioner Elton Lewis. Nicholson said, "We are very aware of the economic impact of crime in the territory."
A list of safety tips has been placed in every hotel room in the territory. Richards wants potential tourists to keep in mind that, "We have the protection of! the US flag and its laws. We have the resources of a professional police department."
The designated spokesperson for the USVI Police Department was unavailable to speak with
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