Shanika Small has not been seen since Friday night.
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – A decomposing body, believed to be that of Shanika Small, 20, was found in the Dauphine-Welcome area sometime around 8 a.m. Sunday, nine days after Small went missing.
However, while police have confirmed the body as that of a female, Small’s mother has been unable to identify it as indeed being that of her daughter, according to SVGTV’s Facebook’s page.
Information reaching I Witness News, indicate that the head is detached from the body and seems to have had several teeth broken out.
Further, the body, which is said to be clad in short pants, bears what appears to be signs of blunt trauma, suggesting a beating, according to well-placed sources.
If the body is proven to be that of Shanika Small, it will bring to a close one chapter of a story that captured the attention of the Vincentian population at home and in the diaspora.
It began when news broke via a Facebook event set up last week Sunday, Oct. 23, by Small’s friend, Nyasha Holder, that the Dauphine woman was missing.
About 3:33 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, Small sent a text message to another friends saying “call 911”. However, the friend only saw the message when he woke up several hours later.
Small missed on Saturday a dance class that she usually attends and all attempts to reach her were futile.
“This is just not like her,” Holder told I Witness News last week Sunday night.
Several searches, conducted by citizens and police – including a trained police dog — last week, failed to find the missing woman, although one search party found shoes, said to belong to her.
As the news of the discovery of the body circulated Sunday morning, Vincentian netizens expressed their feeling on the Facebook page dedicated to finding the missing woman.
“I just can’t believe this. I never got a chance to meet you but I can tell that you were a very sincere and loving person just by the way your friends and family joined together to help bring you back,” one person wrote.
“This is a very tragic moment and a sad time. R.I.P. Shanika. Hope they found that sucker who did this,” said another post on the social networking Website.
“Apparently, you don’t have to be a millionaire’s kid to be kidnapped and killed anymore. St. Vincent needs JESUS!” yet another poster said.
Curious onlookers stand behind a police line in the vicinity where the body was found on Sunday. (Internet photo)
“SVG is a failed state when it comes to protecting women from cannibals. …. From the head down don’t even have respect for women because they too will call women all kinds of names in the book,” said another post, written in capital letters.
This country has recently witnessed an upsurge in violent crimes again women, including two women who was shot and killed in Campden Park in September.
Also in September, a 78-year-old widow of Fitz Hughes, was found dead in her home, believe to have been raped and killed.
These killings came on the heel of the stabbing death of a Greiggs woman in August while a Georgetown woman survived an attack in which a man slashed her throat with a knife on the Grenadine island of Bequia.
Senior High Court Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle last Monday, Oct. 24, added his voice to the public outcry regarding violence against women.
“No man has any right to lay his hands on his wife or his common-law-wife. I am sick of what is going on in this country,” Bruce-Lyle said, according to The Vincentian newspaper.
The judge was speaking after a nine-member jury found Bilton Primus, 38, of Campden Park, guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his former common-law wife, Darrine Edwards, of Old Montrose, who was 20 at the time of the incident.
Bruce-Lyle adjourned the matter to November 11, saying he needed time to consider what sentence to impose on the convicted man.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Holder who was leading the efforts online to find Small, told Searchlight newspaper that while she was hoping for the best, she was fearful of the worst.
According to Holder, Small was seen in the vicinity of the Roman Catholic School in Kingstown walking with a gentleman, described as tall as slim.
She was also seen at Heritage Square with a person bearing the same description and later at Aunt Jobe’s Supermarket at Arnos Vale some time before 6:00 p.m.
At about eight o’clock, Small’s landlord saw her arrive home, according to Holder.
“We found out [on Sunday, Oct. 23], that somebody … saw her trying to hustle away from a guy; and the description was tall and slim, but they couldn’t see his complexion, because it was dark. That was around minutes to eight, the person said,” Holder told Searchlight.
Holder also said that Small spoke to her mother around 8 or 9 Friday night.
“So we knew when all of this happened that it could not be a hoax or any games, because she always lets people know where she is going,” Holder said.
Holder further told Searchlight that to her knowledge, the last known interaction Small had with friends, was on Blackberry with Holder’s brother Orande, which lasted until around midnight, during which Small indicated that she was at home.
Small is said to have sent the “call 911” text message to the male Holder.
Holder told I Witness News in the interview on Sunday, Oct. 23, that she and Small’s friend did not know her to have a boyfriend.
However, Holder said that according to friends, Small told them “a particular guys is aggressively trying to get her to date him”.
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So sad to hear this, what is the land of my birth coming too.I feel safer where I am living now in Canada hope they find the person who is responsiblefor this and bring them to justice. God bless SVG.
Posted by smooth | October 30, 2011, 14:28Violence is all over, the simple word as respect for life is no longer in that person vocabulary, don’t think the police is skilled enough to carry out that investigation; they may need international help, what about DNA, i pray for Shanika for an arrest and conviction in this case, that will send a strong message.
Posted by bill | November 1, 2011, 21:10The world on a whole ise becoming desperately wicked so whether yuh in CANADA or timbucktu, violence is always pray and heinous acts like these
Posted by patriot | October 30, 2011, 15:05Sad state we are living in. End of times. A generation of vipers. I hope who ever did this or those who commit any crime is caught and pays big time. They have no place in this world. SVG is small, the violence towards our fellow men and women needs so cease. I’m so sicken by all these crimes.
Posted by Arianne | October 30, 2011, 15:45i am living in st.vincent and can’t come to grip of this brutel act on women!!!
Posted by mervin | October 30, 2011, 16:24Can you believe this is happenning in our country Land of the Blessed?Women are being abused too much now we have to do something to stop all this violence against us women,MAY GOD HELP US,WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT THIS ONE,COME ON WOMEN LETS TAKE ASTAND AND FIGHT ON.
Posted by Roseclair Charles | October 30, 2011, 18:26This problem of violence against women here in svg is just disgusting and the government, police, and courts aren’t doing anything to help. Its sickening that as a woman we must live in fear because we have a body that men want. I moved here from NY a little over 2 years and I felt safer in NYC by myself at night.
Unfortunately a woman cannot and should not live alone in this country and that impedes directly on our freedom as individuals.
The problem is that these attacks are ones brought about lack of fear of authority and persecution. When the prime minister himself is accused of rape and nothing is done about it, that shows the lack of power us women have in this country. “Authority” in SVG get away with the same things as these disgusting persons…people say it on the street but are afraid to speak up about it and change things. Everyone knows what is going on yet we women are the ones that must adapt?!
Why should I have to live in fear because I was born a woman? Why should I have to be afraid that when a thief enters my home he didn’t just come for money alone? And why are people in this country just sitting idly by and letting these things go on?!
Persons here rather blame a woman for being raped rather than the rapist himself.
Every time I read a story like this I feel ashamed of what this beautiful country has become. I feel disgusted at the so called progress that the government boasts. I feel helpless to deal with the situation when every other citizen is complacent about these incidents.
We all know what’s going on! What’s your problem?
Posted by Sacha | October 30, 2011, 20:11What you say is your view but at the same time we have to remember that the way we dress, the times we travel, the way some females mislead men all these things may pose as a treat to females I mean we should have the right to dress how we want or travel when we want but is it wise for you to dress in such a manner that so much of your body might be expose in such a way that some sex maniac might try something and on top of that you traveling all alone. You blame a lot of people for the way the country is but you all need to take a good look at yourselves because it takes two for something to happen. Look at ways to protect yourself because at the end of the day what ever happens when we put ourselves in danger we are the ones who feel the pain. Its just like having sex. Safe guard yourself don’t wait on no one to do it for you
Posted by visco | October 31, 2011, 15:06YOU ARE BEYOND IGNORANT…”blaming the victim” is the phenemonon you are displaying….You are NOT blaming the criminal because in your eyes ” it takes two for something to happen”.so The reason this young woman died is because of one of the options?…….INCORRECT you can be raped IN SCHOOL, in BROAD DAY LIGHT, Murdered in Church, coming from church, DRESSED appropriately etc…….You are NOT safe ANYWHERE!..f you think that You can PREVENT these things you are living in a DREAM world. A lot of Women who are raped, and Killed are NOT bad people, Decent Educated GOOD Women get Killed everyday. This is the World we Live in, INNOCENT children GET KILLED, MOLESTED…so it’s there fault?………..I understand that We can take measures to protect ourselves, But How DARE You blame the victim…regardless of how a person dresses, acts, walks…NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT to touch, kill or harrass them..You MUST work with BABYLON. The point the person made above was just saying that STRICTER laws needs to be enforced, in SVG, beating your woman is considered private. It sickens me that you can think it’s a person’s fault…SHame on YOU..i won’t bother to read your response. You are DISGUSTING, oNe sided and frankly Heartless person.
Posted by Musha | October 31, 2011, 21:38R.I.P ITS SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT VINCY IS COMING TO….
Posted by kmelia | October 30, 2011, 20:16we need to find that culprit and hang him! Bring back hanging! Such villains do not deserve to benefit from tax payers money!
Posted by observer | October 31, 2011, 07:13I’m tired of hearing about killings now. Every minute now. I hope they catch the killer and deal with him accordingly. Time enough to put a stopping to this.
Posted by African Queen | October 31, 2011, 07:41This is such a dreadful day for St. Vincent. It is time that we stop adoring leaders who are accused of rape and fail to have their day in court.
My condolences to Shanika’s family and friends, and God bless the memory of Shenika.
Posted by Peter | October 31, 2011, 11:52When the men finish killilg out the women I want to know who they gonna turn to . Men you need to change and even thougj thede ppl are caught they gonna sit in jail an get fat and stink . Bring back in the hangina
Posted by Sarafina | October 31, 2011, 13:40Please Mr. Prime Minister……I want you to do more to punished those who are treating our women like crap……..I’m very disturbed about the violence and evil that’s plagueing our women and country of birth ..god protect our island SVG.
Posted by Muah | October 31, 2011, 14:21There are some females who take things for granted such as telling the truth about where they are going, who they are going to meet and times they travel by themselves. What we have to realize is that no one can protect you better than yourself all it takes is to let someone know what you are up to and don’t put your self in positions that will invite trouble I am not saying we know what would happen to us when we go out but we can do better. Act responsible
Posted by visco | October 31, 2011, 14:50SVG needs Jesus. I wonder what is happening to our blessed land that we had.
Posted by John | October 31, 2011, 16:37oo
Posted by George | October 31, 2011, 17:53MY GOODNESS!!! HOW I FEEL FOR SHANIKA!!! I HOPE THE POLICE FIND THAT BEAST, THE MONSTER, WHO KILLED HER. WHAT ABOUT THE AGGRESSIVE GUY WHO WANTED SHANIKA TO DATE HIM? ARE THE POLICE GOING TO TAKE SPECIMEN FROM THAT STALKER, ALONG WITH SPECIMEN FROM THE DECOMPOSED BODY AND TRY TO MAKE A MATCH? WILL THE POLICE REALLY ATTEMPT TO GET JUSTICE? I HOPE SO. MAY THIS NOT BE ANOTHER GLEN JACKSON’S EPISODE.
Posted by Briana | November 1, 2011, 22:35I wonder if there isn’t at least ONE person who knows the tall slim man who was walking with Shanika. If someone knows, maybe he or she can post a type written letter to the Police Headquarters in Kingstown without identifying himself/herself. Write the name of the person who was with Shanika and let the Police do the rest. Then you the informer will be safe. You’ll be a good Informer; informing the Police for the RIGHT reason, for justice.
Posted by Tian | November 1, 2011, 22:47Bring back the death penalty, give them the gallows when they are found guilty, these SOB’s must not have mother or sisters. what if some one did this to a female in their family?
So disgusting and inhuman.
Posted by claud | November 2, 2011, 14:16some one know something and is not talking, but they must know that the upholder is worse than the thief… and their day of judgement will come.
Posted by jo | November 4, 2011, 13:32