Mapp Finally Issues Statement On Death Of Lyana Serieux And Two Sons; Announces $10,000 Reward For Info Leading To Arrest

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp, five days after it was announced that Lyana Serieux had gone missing, four days after her two minor sons were found disposed on the south shore near Ha’Penny Beach, and two days after Ms. Serieux’s body was found in a cistern of an abandoned building behind the Mutual Homes Housing Community — issued a video statement on Saturday morning, expressing sorrow at the heinous crime that wiped out an entire family.

The crime is among the most brutal in modern Virgin Islands history, and has shocked the entire territory.

The governor also appealed to the community to come forward with information, and announced a $10,000 reward to anyone with details leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals involved. Mr. Mapp’s offer brings the total amount to $15,000, as it builds on the Buccaneer Hotel’s $5,000 reward. The governor praised community members who formed search parties and scoured the island in search of the missing family.

But the governor’s late address has angered some residents. While he was away when the incident occurred, some in the community have contended that Mr. Mapp should have addressed the community through a recorded audio or video, or even a press release.

“After whole week? Wherever he was I’m sure there was a phone to make a video call!! Shame shame shame!” wrote Carol Abraham on The Consortium’s Facebook platform. “A week late?? Really, where have you been? Not in St. Croix, that’s for sure,” said Michael Wilkerson.

In the video, Mr. Mapp expressed sadness at what had occurred.

“I am here today with a very heavy heart speaking to the people of the Virgin Islands about the horrific and horrible murder of Lyana, Jeremiah and Jordan Serieux,” said the governor, referring to whomever committed the crime as a “horrible monster,” which had “raised its ugly head” in the community. “And I want to assure the people of the Virgin Islands that all of the resources of the Government of the Virgin Islands have been brought to the table to solve this heinous crime,” he said.

Mr. Mapp revealed that the federal government has been assisting in the effort, and he thanked the men and women in uniform for their continuing work on the case. While announcing the $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the crime, the governor called on members of the faith community to pray for Ms. Serieux and her two sons, as well as their family members.

“In anyway that you can, ask the good Lord to bring strength to the surviving family members and our community that’s struggling, trying to wrap around how could such a heinous act take place in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” the governor said.

Mr. Mapp stressed on his appeal to provide information to law enforcement, regardless of how insignificant it might appear. “Regardless of how small that you think it is, provide it, because that small bit of information might be part of the missing link as we put together and try to unravel who could be so vicious to exact such violence against an entire family,” he said.

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What is now one the most vicious  crimes committed in modern Virgin Islands history, started on Friday, the last day Ms. Serieux along with her two sons were seen. Ms. Serieux’s family members had conducted their own search, but turned to police on Sunday after futile attempts. By Monday night at about 7:30 p.m., police discovered a 2011 Silver Toyota Yaris with license plate number CFR 304 — confirmed to be that of Ms. Serieux — burnt in Upper Love.

The following day at about 11:35 a.m., moments after a V.I.P.D. press briefing seeking the community’s assistance, the bodies of Ms. Serieux’s two minor sons — 10-year-old Jordan Serieux and 5-year-old Jeremiah Serieux — were discovered on the south shore near Ha’Penny Beach. The tragic nature of the discovery rocked the territory, with many expressing disbelief that such cruelty had occurred here.

The search continued for Ms. Serieux on Wednesday. On Wednesday evening, some residents gathered at Fort Christianvaern for prayer, and were joined by tens of thousands more from around the world. “I stand with you in prayer from Jerusalem,” said Hannah Jasmine McCoy. “Prayers from the Santos family from East Tennessee,” said Mario N. Wendy Santos. “Praying and standing in agreement in Indianapolis,” said Claire James.

V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards vowed to bring those responsible to justice. “We are going to pursue the individual or individuals responsible, and we want them to know that. We are going to leave no stone unturned, and we’re going to be aggressively involved in trying to bring this to a closure,” he said.

The commissioner said that the force has been following every lead it gets — down to comments online — to try and piece together what really happened. “So far we have been unable to confirm a lot of them,” he said. He did, however, confirm that items of “evidentiary value” were discovered in the abandoned building.

The killing of Ms. Serieux and her two minor sons brought the territory’s homicide count to 37 for 2017. By August 29 last year, the territory had already seen 47 homicides in total, 40 of which were gun-related and another 7 were vehicular.