Lekeitha Toya Crabtree, a 41-year-old resident of Contant Knolls, died early Wednesday of wounds suffered in what police said was an altercation with an unknown male.
It was the 11th homicide on St. Thomas since the first of the year, the 16th in the territory.
According to the V.I. Police Department, officers were dispatched at about 5 a.m. Wednesday to the area of the Gottlieb Quick Way Gas Station in Contant in regards to a reported disturbance in the area. Arriving at the scene, the officers made contact with what was described as "a combative black female" on the ground just outside of the convenience store. The woman was bleeding from the head with abrasions about the body as a result of an altercation with an unknown male.
The victim, later identified as Crabtree, appeared to be under the influence, police said. She again became combative, police said, and was subdued and restrained by the officers.
Crabtree began to experience "some type of medical complication," according to the report, and the emergency medical technicians examined and transported the victim to the Schneider Regional Medical Center for medical attention, and she died en route.
Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the VIPD at 340-774-2211, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-714-9801, the 911 emergency call center, or the anonymous tip service. Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.