Police Confirm Ken Joseph Ismael as Victim in Fatal Choiseul Assault
CHOISEUL, Saint Lucia (Unitedpac St. Lucia News) — Police have confirmed that Ken Joseph Ismael, a deaf elderly resident of La Pointe, was the victim in the 13th homicide recorded in Saint Lucia for 2025. Ismael died Thursday afternoon after being struck at the back of the head with a stick in the community of Industry, Choiseul.
According to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, officers from the Choiseul Police Station responded to a report at around 2:50 p.m. on March 21. Upon arrival, they found Ismael unresponsive with visible head trauma. Emergency personnel from the Saint Lucia Fire Service were also dispatched and provided medical assistance, but a medical doctor later pronounced him dead at the scene.
Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred in full view of residents. One individual recalled seeing blood coming from Ismael’s nose and watching him gasp for breath moments before he collapsed.
Ken Joseph Ismael, believed to be in his early 70s, was a well-known farmer and fisherman who lived alone. He worked aboard a fishing vessel owned by Richardson Jn Baptiste, who said, “He was a good fisherman. He was also very helpful to the community and did not look for trouble.”
The alleged assailant believed to be a resident of the area, had reportedly been seen walking behind the victim shortly before the incident. No arrests have been announced, and police have not named the suspect. Law enforcement was observed conducting searches in the community following the fatal assault.
Family members indicated that Ismael had shown signs of unusual behavior in recent months. Though efforts were made to seek a psychiatric evaluation, they said he would often go into hiding. Recently, relatives had sought prayer support for him instead.
The killing has triggered renewed concern in Industry, a community already traumatized by previous violence. In January, a machete attack injured four people, including a five-year-old child.
You can read that report here: Choiseul machete attack injures 5-year-old and 3 others.
Weeks later, one of the victims died from his injuries, marking another homicide for the year.
See follow-up coverage: Choiseul murder case: Victim dies after chopping attack.
Initial reporting on this incident was published based on early information received. You can view the first story here: Man killed in Choiseul concrete block attack.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Choiseul Police Station at 456-3635, the anonymous Crime Hotline at 555, or use the RSLPF Crime Hotline App, available on the Google Play Store.
Unitedpac St. Lucia News will continue to provide updates as the investigation develops.
