PHILIPSBURG: --- A school bus driver identified as Kendrick Landsmark was reportedly missing since early Saturday morning. Relatives of the missing man told SMN News that a black jeep went to their brother’s yard around 1am Saturday morning, the family said that the persons that went to Landsmark home ransacked the home before kidnapping Landsmark. His brother Silvio Martina said that Landsmark is a mechanic and school bus driver and they have since filed a missing person report on Saturday with KPSM. Interim Police Spokesman Steven Carty confirmed that a police report has been filed with the police on the missing person and that KPSM already informed the French authorities for their cooperation in locating the missing man.
Even though a missing person (kidnapping report was filed with the police on Saturday KPSM failed to even send out a press release to alert the community. When SMN News called to enquire about the missing man at no time did the police stated that Landsmark body was found at sea on Sunday morning, the only thing the interim police spokesman said was that even him was not informed of the missing person report that was filed and when he contacted his superior they confirmed that a report was filed and that the French authorities were also informed.
However, on Sunday, November 7th, 2016 around 11:30 am some Canadian tourists that were sailing in a yacht in Baie Nettle “Plum Bay” called the gendarmes and notified them that they spotted a body floating in the water. The Gendarmes immediately responded to the scene by lifeboat and found the body which they said was bound hand and foot. The gendarmes stated in a press release that an autopsy will be conducted in the coming days to determine the cause of death.
The victim was identified as a native West Indian and lives in St. Maarten. The Dutch authorities were informed and a procedure has been opened to determine the circumstances of the disappearance and death of this man who is of 43 years old. In the meantime, the French authorities also opened an investigation into the case.
Silvio Martina said that around 7pm detectives searched his brother’s home and the home of his girlfriend but never told him that his brother was dead. He said that after questing the prosecutor around 11pm Sunday night he was officially informed that his brother is dead and his body was found by the French authorities. Martina did say that while at the home police kept saying the “deceased” but at no time they told them his brother’s body was found around 11am on the French side by the French authorities. He said at 11pm Sunday night when it was officially told to him the detectives said that based on the clothing and jewelry found on the body, they managed to confirm that it is the body of Kendrick Landsmark.
Martina said that the culprits kidnapped his brother went back to his house and garage and erased the camera in order to erase the evidence. He described his brother as a friendly young man who would go out of his way to help anyone. Martina said he is sure that those persons who kidnapped his brother and killed him are people that he knew.
Missing person found dead
On Saturday, November 5, 2016, a family member of the now deceased Kendrick Allen Landmark came to the police station and filed a missing person's report. Along with the patrol they drove to where Landmark had last been seen. According to witness accounts, he went missing since Friday night and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance were suspicious. The Forensic Department was called in to collect more information. On Sunday afternoon November 6, 2016, the Prosecutors Office was informed by French authorities that they had found and identified the body the now deceased Kendrick Allen Landmark. As a result, an immediate investigation started. Two home searches were conducted and witnesses were questioned. The investigation will be a joint effort between the Dutch and French authorities.
KPSM Press Release