Following the arrest of two caregivers, the Jamaican Constabulary Force has named a pastor a person of interest in connection with the mummified remains of Viola Destin. Police have been investigating Destin’s death after her corpse was found in a Westmoreland home on July 6, almost two years after she died.
The two caregivers, 54-year-old Gena Robinson and 49-year-old Lavern Wedderburn, were charged with concealing the elderly woman’s death, and now police are seeking a clergyman whom the caregivers had reportedly turned to for advice regarding Destin.
The Jamaican pastor, identified as Delroy Jones, is said to be a resident of Colorado in the United States. Police believe he may be able to offer critical insight into the incident and are urging him to contact them urgently.
According to investigators, Robinson and Wedderburn allegedly began caring for Destin after encountering her in a vulnerable state. The police reported that Wedderburn, who resides in Rocky Hill in Sheffield, saw the elderly woman begging in Savanna-la-Mar in 2023 and informed Robinson, after which both women sought guidance from Pastor Jones overseas.
Destin later fell critically ill and was moved into Robinson’s home in the Old Hope district in Little London, where she died in December 2023. The carers allegedly kept the body hidden at the home without reporting the passing. As months went by, they allegedly managed to mask the stench of her decaying corpse with chemicals and baking soda.
After nearly 2 years, the body was discovered by Robinson’s relative. Authorities say the family member saw the body in a room on July 6 and contacted police. While Robinson and Wedderburn now face several serious charges, including conspiracy to conceal a corpse and preventing lawful burial, attention has turned to Pastor Jones. Anyone who knows Pastor Jones’ whereabouts is encouraged to reach out to the nearest police station or call Crime Stop at 311.