Police have now officially confirmed that the recent St. Croix deaths of Lyana Serieux and her young sons, 10-year old Jordan and 5-year old Jeremiah Serieux were homicide.
Even amid regular reports of young men shooting other young men and a violent crime rate that has alarmed and concerned residents for years, the wanton slaying of a mother and two children has shocked St. Croix residents.
They were last seen Friday Aug. 28. as the mother drove her sons to their residence in Estate Cane.
Police held a press conference Monday, Aug. 31, to enlist the community’s help in locating the family.
A burnt Toyota Yaris was found in Estate Lower Love that matches the description and partially matches the VIN numbers for Serieux’s car. Some of the VIN numbers were destroyed, making an absolutely certain identification impossible.
The next day, police officials announced that they had found the bodies of two minor boys near Ha’Penny Beach and were still searching for the mother. The children’s bodies were found in the bushes by a landscaper. Officials said they had been thrown over a barbed wire fence.
On Aug. 2, concerned residents gathered at Fort Christianvaern for a prayer event organized by Dynel Lang, host of the Dynel Amore radio Show. Many joined them from around the world watching the event livestream and praying in the comments.
Aug. 3, the V.I. Police Department found a woman’s body in a cistern on abandoned property behind the Mutual Housing Community. It was suspected but not confirmed that it was the body of 24-year-old Lyana Serieux. Police have since confirmed it to be her.
After the children’s bodies were found, Territorial Police Chief Winsbut McFarland said police have identified a person of interest in the case but have not arrested anyone.
“We are following up on all leads but there is somebody of interest,” he said.
Please make correction to the date the police held the press conference it was NOT Aug 31st I supposed it was July 31st. Also kindly proof read your articles before printing
Thank you