ST. CROIX — A woman whose family on Tuesday told police that she went missing on Oct. 4 — the same day the woman reported being assaulted by her boyfriend with a machete — was found dead and partially buried in a ravine near a home in Analy, Frederiksted, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Wednesday night.
According to police, the family of the victim, named Robin Hitesman, reported her missing at about 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. The family said Ms. Hitesman, 56, was last seen on Oct. 4 at about 6:00 p.m. with her boyfriend. The victim had called police on Oct. 4 to report that her boyfriend struck her with a machete. Police searched the area but did not locate the suspect, according to Mr. Dratte.
Ms. Hitesman had not been seen since.
On Oct. 8, the family commenced a search for Ms. Hitesman at the home in Analy, Frederiksted. The family discovered the body of Ms. Hitesman partially buried in a ravine near the house, according to Mr. Dratte.
The body was removed from the ravine with the help of St. Croix Rescue, and was turned over to the medical examiner. Ms. Hitesman was positively identified by her family.
A search was made on the island for the boyfriend, 51-year-old Daivys Renaldo Vasquez, who was located in Christiansted and taken into custody, Mr. Dratte said.
The suspect, who police have classified as a person of interest, was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary and home invasion. He was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending his advisement hearing.
The V.I.P.D.’s Criminal Investigation Bureau is asking anyone with information about this incident to call 340-778-2211, or contact Crime Stoppers USVI here.
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