Mentally Ill Son Beats Mother To Death, Police Say

ST. THOMAS — A mentally ill man has beaten his mother to death in St. Thomas, V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman announced this afternoon.

Ms. Freeman said the 911 emergency call center received notification from the victim, Jennifer Brathwaite, at about 8:24 a.m. on Thursday, stating that her mentally ill son was beating her. The phone hung up while the distress call was ongoing.

It was not made clear in the V.I.P.D.’s press release at what time police arrived on the scene, but upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Ms. Brathwaite in the apartment that she shared with her son, who police have identified as Craig Francis. Police presence was followed by that of emergency medical technicians, who determined that Ms. Brathwaite had no vital signs of life.

Later, at about 9:51 a.m., a concerned citizen called police indicating that Mr. Francis was in the area of the bus stop adjacent to the Virgin Islands Legislature building, which prompted officers to travel to the area. They met with Mr. Francis, who tried to escape, but police eventually apprehended him in the parking lot of Fort Christian, according to Ms. Freeman.

Mr. Francis was given no bail after being charged with first-degree murder, according to Ms. Freeman. He was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections.