CASTRIES, St Lucia — Joy St Omer, a 24-year-old woman from Au Tabor, Anse La Raye, was shot and killed while seated in a vehicle in Marigot on Wednesday evening, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has confirmed. A male suspect, identified by police as her estranged husband, surrendered to the Criminal Investigations Department on Wednesday evening and is currently in custody.
Officers from the Marigot Police Station responded to a report of a homicide at approximately 6:39 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Upon arrival, officers found St Omer motionless in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Emergency personnel confirmed she showed no signs of life, and a medical examination revealed she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene, becoming the 35th homicide recorded in St Lucia in 2026.
What We Know
- Joy St Omer, 24, of Au Tabor, Anse La Raye, was shot and killed inside a vehicle in Marigot at approximately 6:39 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, per the RSLPF.
- St Omer sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
- A male suspect identified as her estranged husband is in police custody after turning himself in to the Criminal Investigations Department on Wednesday evening.
- An active Protection Order existed in St Omer’s favour against the suspect at the time of the incident, the RSLPF confirms.
- An active court matter concerning alleged breaches of that Protection Order was before the courts at the time of the incident.
- The suspect was previously arrested and charged on March 13, 2026, for Harm, Threatening Words, and Violation of a Protection Order following a report of assault at Anse La Raye Police Station on March 8, 2026.
- Bail was initially denied at the First District Court; the suspect subsequently obtained bail at the High Court.
- St Omer lodged a report at the Anse La Raye Police Station at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 — hours before her death. Officers conducted searches for the suspect following that report but did not locate him.
- The Major Crimes Unit has assumed responsibility for the investigation.
What We Don’t Know
- Formal charges in connection with St Omer’s homicide have not yet been confirmed.
- The motive for the attack has not been officially established.
- A court date in connection with the homicide has not been announced.
This is a developing story. Unitedpac St Lucia News will update this report as confirmed information becomes available.
