The Virgin Islands Police Department on Monday released the identities of two people found deceased on St. Croix. Both cases have been classed as homicides.
The two deaths bring the number of homicides on St. Croix to 22 since the beginning of the year and the number of homicides in the territory to 28, according to the Source homicide list.*
On June 1, the body of an unidentified adult female was found on the roadside in Estate St. John. According to the autopsy, the female had been beaten to death.
The victim has been identified as 59-year-old Nancy Nieves of Estate St. John. The case has been classified a homicide, and is being investigated by the Major Crime Unit.
On July 4, the decomposed body of an adult male was found in an apartment in Estate Peter’s Rest. The autopsy disclosed the victim had been shot multiple times, which caused his death. The victim has been identified as Michael Scott, age 48 of Estate Peter’s Rest. This case is also being investigated as a homicide by the Major Crime Unit.
Police urged anyone with information about either case to call 911, the Crime TipLine at 340-778-4950, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS). Reports to Crime Stoppers that help resolve a crime can earn the caller an anonymous cash reward.
* The Source homicide list is based on reports from the V.I. Police Department, but unlike the police list or some other news outlets, the Source does not include vehicular homicides or suicides, which can lead to a difference in the totals reported.
