A former British soldier has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman in St Lucia.
Police said they were called to an area in Marigot Bay where the classic 1967 film Dr Doolittle starring Rex Harrison was filmed, at around 6:30 on Wednesday night where a woman was found deceased in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
A formal identification process was completed, and it is believed that the decease is Joy St.Omer,24,from the local area.
Officers arrested a man on suspicion of murder who surrendered himself in a few hours later and he remains in police custody.
Police said that Primus Toussaint,28, believe to be the estranged husband of the deceased handed himself in without incident.
In a statement, the Royal St Lucia Police Force confirmed: “There was an existing protection order in favour of the victim against the suspect at the time of the incident. Additionally, there was an active matter before the court concerning alleged breaches of that protection order.”
“On Sunday, March 8, 2026, a report of assault involving the suspect was made to the Anse La Raye Police Station. Following investigations, the suspect was arrested and subsequently charged on March 13, 2026, for the offences of harm, threatening words, and violation of a protection order. He was brought before the First District Court, where bail was denied. The suspect later applied for bail at the High Court and was granted bail.”
A family source from the village of Canaries, in the Western part of the island where the accused who served for many years in the British army was living said that this was an incident waiting to happen. ” The man had threatened to do her and he was caught on tape threatening her. She wanted out of the toxic relationship but he was having none of it.” said the source who will only give her first name as Esore.” This man should have been kept under lock and keys and none of this would have happened after she reported him before to the cops.” Adds the source ” She was a very beautiful girl and this should not have happened to her.”
Police also confirmed that the last report made by the victim was lodged at the Anse La Raye Police Station around 8:30 a.m. on the day of her killing. Following that report, searches were conducted to find the suspect but the RSPL said he was not found at the time.
The fatal shooting is now under investigation by the Major Crimes Unit.
