One of the two bodies recovered from the sea off St. Croix over the New Year’s holiday has been identified as Jian Quan, a Chinese citizen who attempted to enter the United States illegally.
Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Quan, 35, drowned while attempting to illegally enter the country from a boat with 25 other Chinese immigrants early last Thursday. The group of immigrants was picked up by police after an officer spotted them in Sally’s Fancy. Quan’s body was recovered by police near Point Udall later on Thursday.
A second body was recovered from the sea in the same area on Sunday morning. But Francis said investigators aren’t sure if the individual was part of the group trying to come ashore at Isaac Bay. Identification of the individual has been hampered by the advanced stage of decomposition, Francis said.
Both men had drowned, according to an autopsy. Quan’s body was identified using a photograph, Francis said.
Meanwhile, seven of the 25 Chinese immigrants are being held separately as police investigate the deaths of Quan and the unidentified man. On Tuesday U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Resnick said he would appoint a private attorney for each of the seven men. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The 17 remaining men, plus one minor, were turned over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
