~ Suspect is a known women abuser and boyfriend of the victim.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Police arrested a suspect identified as Bernal Louingston Neale a national of Nevis in the brutal murder of Guyanese art teacher Rhonda Thomas who was found dead in her Beacon Hill home on Monday, February 15th, 2021.
SMN News learned that the suspect Bernal Neale a national of Nevis is the alleged boyfriend of the deceased teacher. Neale resides in Middle Region he is also a musician and fisherman.
Neale is well known to police as a “women abuser” as his permanent residency was revoked in 2006 by former Lt. Governor Franklin Richards because police had several cases against him for abusing women with weapons.
In 2006 Neale was accused of abusing his ex-wife, a minor, and a girlfriend.
However, the suspect Bernal Neale appealed the decision issued by former Lt. Governor Franklin Richards and managed to keep his permanent residency and remained on St. Maarten.
SMN News learned that Neale visited Rhonda Thomas on Sunday (Valentines Day) and the two began arguing, it is further learned a carpenter was at the home at the time the two were arguing, the carpenter eventually leave the premises as the two continued to argue which probably led to the brutal murder. Detectives found the body of Rhonda Thomas around noon on Monday, February 15th, 2021.
Police Spokesman Joe Josepha confirmed a suspect identified as B.L. N was arrested Wednesday night for the murder of Rhonda Thomas.
Suspect arrested in connection with the Beacon Hill investigation.
Personnel of the detective department arrested the man with the initials B.L.N. on Wednesday evening February 17th, 2021 at about 08.00 pm in connection with the ongoing investigation of the female victim who was found deceased in her home on the White Sands Road on February 15th, 2021.
On Monday, February 15th, 2021, at approximately 12.00 pm the officers encountered a female victim who was lying on the ground in her home and not showing any signs of life. It was concluded that the victim died of foul play and the body of the victim has been confiscated for further investigation.
After the arrest, a search was conducted at the house of the suspect in the Middle Region area. Several items were confiscated during the house search by the detectives. Subsequently, the suspect B.L.N. was brought over to the Police Station in Philipsburg, where he is being incarcerated pending further investigation.
If anyone may have information as to what took place or have additional information pertaining to this case, do not hesitate to contact the Police Detective Department at +1 721 54 22222 or the anonymous tip line on 9300 (free of charge).
You can also visit the website at www.policesxm.sx to report crime anonymously via the tip contact form, or you can leave a Private Message via our Facebook page (Police Force of Sint Maarten - Korps Politie Sint Maarten).
KPSM Press Release.
