On February 9, 2025, Vancito Francis passed away at the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York.
Vancito Francis
He is preceded in death by his father Walter Francis and his mother Edna Forbes Turnbull.
Vancito is survived by:
his daughter Jacqueline Francis-Greene, his son-in- law Lagee Greene, his grand-daughter Sheron Bailey, his great-grand daughter Nya Bernardez, his brother David Turnbull, his brother-in- law Lemuel (Chi Chi) Smith, his sisters Verna Andre, Rita Francis, Claudette Francis-Smith, his sisters-in-law Patricia Turnbull and Ingrid Francis-Smith,his aunts Elizabeth Collymore, J. Adel Frett, his nieces and nephews Monique George, Zoe Walcott, Vernicia Walcott, Zerita Harewood, Lavern Francis,Allen Hodge, Gregory Hodge, Brian Hodge, Ronnie Hodge, Jerry Rymer, Shawn Martin, Akeem Martin, Devon Francis, Meleke Turnbull, Shenell Evans, Shamour Jones, families of the late Ivan Francis, Eddie Francis, Anesta Francis, Ruby Malone, Zephyr Smith, families of the late Eugenia Forbes, Gerald Forbes, Clarence Forbes, Ellen Emmanuel, Louis Forbes, Ida Forbes, Rawleigh Forbes, Raphael Forbes, Franklin McClean, Smuel Forbes, Edwill Forbes, Albertha King, Leona Mactavious, Lilian Charles, and Faustina Douglas, congregation of Seventh Day Adventist Church Carrot Bay, and many other relative and friends.
Viewing to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Blyden Memorial Chapel. Celebration of life service to take place at 10 am immediately following the viewing.Interment to take place at Smith Bay Cemetery.
Family and friends are advised of the passing of Egobeda I James better known as ‘Beda or Blacka’ of Lindberg Bay.
Egobeda I James
Egobeda I James passed away on Wednesday January 29, 2025.
He is survived by his mother, Claudette Joseph; sisters: Lakisha Fleming, Farisa James Roberts, Shenika Andrew; brothers: Gemayel James, Jelani Gerrald, nieces: Riahnna, Riahnique, Caylee James, Zalika Thomas Leary; nephews: Jayante Warner and Cayson James; godmother: Sylvia Forbes; godfather: Cartwright Joseph; uncles: Rupert Ferrance, Lesroy “Dyer”, Jashae Joseph; aunts: Jacqueline, Phyllis, Carol and Sandy Joseph; cousins: Rupert Ferrance Jr., Leonard Greene, Quesha Benjamin, SirBryce Ferrance, Jamal, Jamel, Jakoree, Jahani, Jahmani, Jaseish, Jahmoi, Jashae Jr., Jaiden, Jordan and Shatazah Joseph, Lynnesha Knight, Meshelle and Leon Bryan, Quatisha Malone, Michael and Malia Industrious, Shatiqua Joseph Roper, Vaugniqua Bailey, Trayvon, Taylor Hassell, Daijanee, Zarria and Jahmari Ferrance, Jayden and Arianna Greene, Jahnell Benjamin, Jania, Jakoi Jr., Jazmine, Jaleem, Jamel Jr., Jaheim, Jamir, Jahni, Jahi, Jamal Jr., Jahmiya, Jalayna, Jahlia, Jania, Jahmani Jr. and Jahmeya Joseph, Alaya, Lenarria, Layah, Leilani, Leah, Jah’sheem, Jaeon, Denali, Leon Jr. and Leol Bryan, Breanna Abbott, De’shelle, De’quan and De’correy Ledee, Sanai Malone, Alaiya smith, Nalasi and Russell Teague, Zhaie Popo; and other family members and special friends too numerous to mention.
Proceed in death by father: Everett Arturo James; grandmother: Ernestine Eulalie “Teen” Kendall –Joseph;
grandfather: Robert Harcourt “Shirt, Bully, Sylvester” Joseph.
The first viewing will be held on Tuesday Feb. 18, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The second viewing will be on Wednesday Feb. 19, at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church from
9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., with service at 10 a.m. The burial will be in Eastern Cemetery (Smith Bay).
With deep sorrow the Mills family announces the passing of Ira R. Mills. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and fondly remembered for his character, integrity, and numerous achievements.
Ira Mills
Ira was born on July 18, 1949, in St. Kitts, West Indies the fifth child of Bruce Mills and Eulalie ‘May’ Mills. He and his six siblings were raised in Sandy Point, St. Kitts. He attended the Sandy Point Boys School, and the Basseterre Grammar High School
Ira enjoyed Sports and participated in many Sports Day events in High School.He learned a great deal from his father and was skilled in many areas such as grafting plants, hunting, and fishing.
Early in life Ira knew that he wanted to make a difference in others’ daily lives thru educating and equipping youngsters with the tools needed to make their hopes and dreams a reality.He fulfilled this dream in part by teaching at the Sandy Point High School. In 1971, having relocated to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Ira worked as an associate at the Bank of Nova Scotia. While working, he attended the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI). Ira graduated from CVI after completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then went on to pursue advanced studies at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio earning a master’s degree in business administration.
Ira was a dedicated public servant; he worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands for the vast majority of his career. Beginning in 1976 he began working for the Government of the Virgin Islands and served with excellence in several departments. He began with Office of Management and Budget (OMB), University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and in OMB again, this time as Budget Director. Following his position as Director, Ira served in the VI Housing Authority Department, and in 2011 signed on with the Office of Lieutenant Governor until his untimely passing.
Ira’s took a great deal of pride in his work and experienced joy and satisfaction in doing work that he loved.An achievement which he and his team worked on tirelessly was the streamlining of the Real Estate Tax system.This resulted in a more user-friendly application that homeowner’s access to view their tax information and pay their bills. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and felt each day was a Blessing and an opportunity to learn something new and brighten someone’s day.
His love for his children, grandson, siblings and extended family was evident in the way that he nourished these precious relationships.We, his family will remember Ira for his tenacity, resilience, outgoing nature, and thoroughness when he tackled all manner of projects around the home.He was a loving and sensitive man whose smile always brightened up a room.Even during his illness, Ira never lost his sense of humor or his upbeat spirit. He will be missed by his family, co-workers, friends, and many in the community whose lives he touched.
Ira loved God and his Faith in Christ sustained him particularly during the last months of his life.He was a devoted member of the Wesley Methodist Church in Annas Retreat, St. Thomas.Until his departure to Boston for medical treatment, he served as a steward and was a member of the Men’s Fellowship choir.
Family, Friends, and others whose lives Ira touched are invited to the First Viewing at the Celestial Chapel of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals from 5-7 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025.
Join the celebration of Ira’s life the following day at the funeral held at Wesley Methodist Church located at 147 Anna’s Retreat on St. Thomas. The church phone number is 340.775.1293. A brief viewing will be held from 9 am followed by the service at 10 am and then burial at 12 noon in the Western Cemetery (#2, Altona).
Those whom Ira leaves to mourn include his children: Nijo Mills, Brian I. Mills, Ryan Mills, and Macy C. Mills, as well as his grandchild, Nicholas Bennet. His siblings, nieces, and nephews, also mourn. They include:
Blanche K. Mills and her children, Paula Mills-Warner and Natasha Mills
Ted Mills and his children, Denise Mills, Bridgette Mills-Moore, and Angie Mills-Petty
Frank Mills and his wife, Lauritz Mills, along with their daughter, Tanisha N. Mills
Phillip Mills and his wife, Eugenia Mills, and their daughter, Tamara Mills-Wyrick
Pearlina Mills and her son, Phillip Mills
Milton Mills and his wife, Jana Ettienne-Mills, along with their children, Janasa Austrie and Jamaya Mills
Arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.
For directions and online condolences, please visit, www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority would like to inform the community that the St. CroixAnguilla Landfill will be closing today until further notice due to fire.
Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services are onthe scene. We ask the public to be careful traversing the area and wethank you for your cooperation.
St. Johnian artist Exu (Tyreke Morton) will be debuting his solo exhibition “Balanced Home” at Bajo el Sol Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.
This opening event will be followed by the monthly poetry jam Rhyme & Lime starting at 7 p.m. featuring Exu’s poetry and special musical guest, saxophonist, Dennison Blackett.
#3 EXU
In Exu’s first solo exhibition at Bajo El Sol, “Balanced Home”, the artist work weaves together a tapestry of color and emotion that speaks to the depths of the human soul.
“My work is rooted in themes of spirituality and faith,” Exu writes. “My art serves as a conduit for introspection and enlightenment. Each piece is a testament to the interconnectedness of all beings and the mysteries that bind us together.”
Exu says, “I’m driven by a relentless passion to provoke thought and ignite meaningful dialogue. I like to dive into subjects that demand attention and understanding. In a world often overshadowed by chaos and division, I believe in the transformative power of art to unite, inspire, and uplift. I strive to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who encounter my work, reminding them of the inherent beauty that resides within us all.”
Exu, a 24-year-old self-taught multi-disciplinary artist and poet, was born and raised in the vibrant landscape of the United States Virgin Islands. They work in acrylic paint, spray paint, markers, and pencils. Driven by a desire to spark meaningful conversations, Exu uses their art as a tool to shed light on subjects often overlooked or misunderstood, and to challenge viewers to confront their beliefs, question societal norms, and embrace the beauty of diversity.
Located at Mongoose Junction on St. John, Bajo El Sol Gallery & Art Bar is a hybrid art gallery, bookstore, café, rum and cocktail bar. As a gallery and events space, Bajo El Sol is dedicated to offering the best in Virgin Islands fine art and cultural expression.
A powerful documentary screening of “Sugar Pathways” by award-winning film writer, producer, and director Johanna Bermúdez-Ruiz at J & W Latin Bodega (J & W) Sunday night sparked discussions about migration, identity, and the historical struggles of the Puerto Rican and Virgin Islands communities.
Special guests in attendance included Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, former Sen. Samuel Carrión, representatives from the Dominican Republic community, and members of the Taino nation.
Johanna Bermúdez-Ruiz, principal of Cane Bay Films, LLC, speaks to an intimate group of attendees of a documentary screening, “Sugar Pathways,” on St. Croix on Sunday. (Photo by Daryl Wade)
The documentary traced the historical struggles of Puerto Ricans, particularly those from Vieques, who were displaced during the U.S. Navy’s invasion of the island, only 42 miles (69 km) from mainland Puerto Rico. The film highlighted the 1999 protests in Vieques and the 2003 celebration marking the Navy’s expulsion. It also explored themes of migration, including the movement of Puerto Ricans to St. Croix during the Great Depression and the lasting effects of these displacements on identity and culture blending.
Throughout the screening, references were made to the contributions of former delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, who was also present, and the struggles faced by immigrants facing discrimination. The film examined how Viequenses migrants navigated their new lives in the Virgin Islands while preserving their heritage, a sentiment echoed by attendees who shared personal histories of migration and adaptation.
One key discussion point was the impact of colorism and racism. Bermúdez-Ruiz shared her family’s experience transitioning from Vieques to St. Croix, reflecting on how much togetherness existed despite societal divisions. The documentary also explored the deep ties between Taino and Maroon communities, emphasizing a long history of cultural exchange and coexistence.
“Sugar Pathways” documentary projects a Taino member in far left views. (Photo by Daryl Wade)
The evening took on a personal tone when Bermúdez-Ruiz’s sister, Wanda Belardo, owner of J & W since 1990 and chef who prepared a cultural experience, expressed her gratitude to Christensen. She emotionally spoke about the challenges of running a business and the vision that kept her going despite external doubts.
In addition to historical context, the film addressed the importance of mental health and community support. The film reflected on the changing dynamics of Crucian neighborhoods, noting how cultural shifts have influenced the local preference in music, language, dance, and food. The documentary also showcased the role of family-run grocery stores owned by Puerto Rican descendants, which once formed the backbone of the Virgin Islands before the rise of larger chain stores reshaped the local market.
Attendees at the film screening partake in a three-course meal at J&W Latin Bodega prepared by owner and chef Wanda Belardo. (Photo by Daryl Wade)
The event was not only a reflection on history but also a call to action. Bermúdez-Ruiz shared the struggles of independent filmmakers in securing funding, stating that projects like hers often take years to complete due to financial constraints. Her education program, Silent Drift, aims to teach people how to make films, but she emphasized the need for greater support.
Following the 50-minute screening, a Q&A session allowed attendees to engage further with filmmaker Bermúdez-Ruiz. She spoke about her experiences documenting the injustices faced by Vieques residents, including her time living at a bombing site to capture evidence of land appropriations. She recalled moments of personal danger, including being grabbed by a sniper while filming the arrest of an archbishop and nuns protesting the Navy’s presence.
The documentary has yet to be similarly shown in Puerto Rico, due in part to licensing and subtitle challenges. However, Bermúdez-Ruiz, also principal of Cane Bay Films, LLC, remains diligent in bringing these stories to a broader audience, ensuring that the history and voices of displaced communities are not forgotten. Her mission is highlighted in a time where there are forces aiming to dismantle structures of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The screening was made possible through sponsorships from CC1, the Virgin Islands Casino Commission, VIYA, Patrick Vivot, Isle 95, V.I. Lottery and Le Jolie Events and Rentals. As the night ended, attendees reflected on the importance of preserving cultural identity while embracing the unity that migration has fostered between Puerto Ricans and Virgin Islanders.
For those interested in supporting Bermúdez-Ruiz, Cane Bay Films or learning more about “Sugar Pathways,” information is available at https://www.canebayfilms.com/.
Beautiful and fragrant white and yellow Cattleya orchids are on display with the winning ribbon during the 2020 show. (Source Photo by Linda Morland)
The Great Hall at St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix will provide a spacious and historic venue for the St. Croix Orchid Society’s (SCOS) 53rd annual orchid show and sale.
“Orchids Thrive in ’25,” honoring Michelle Thurland-Martinez, will open on Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., continue on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are free with an adult admission.
Along with jewel-toned orchids of many varieties to be shown, three fabulous orchid vendors will offer a wide array of orchid plants to choose from:
Aly Gia Dai Orchids from Puerto Rico
E Orchids from Puerto Rico
Kimberly Orchids from St. Crox
Thomas Kash, a St. Croix Orchid Society member presents “Growing Orchids Using Semi-Hydroponics” to an interested audience. This was one of 5 workshops offered during the three-day show. (Source Photo by Linda Morland)
Three workshops will be offered in the Great Hall East Gallery:
Saturday:
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Orchids in the Landscape: SCOS Board President Angie Ortiz will present a hands on workshop for those who would like to learn how to select and mount orchids in their gardens.
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Repotting Workshop: Michele Thurland-Martinez will assist in the often daunting task of repotting. Michelle will help with choices of proper growing mediums and the correct pots.
Sunday:
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The St. Croix Bonsai Society will give a demonstration on the intriguing art of bonsai.
The show is registered with the American Orchid Society (AOS) and will be judged according to its criteria. The plants and blooms in the show will be measured against worldwide AOS standards. Each variety of orchid has clear criteria set out in the judging handbook to determine how it will be rated. Judging will take place on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to watch the process.
Grand Champion of the 2019 Show, awarded for the most outstanding orchid in the show, won by exhibitor Luther Edwards and grown by Jan McBean is the Epidendrum ciliare. This plant is often called The St. Croix Christmas orchid. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Guest judges from The American Orchid Society will be:
Dr. Julio David Rios
Jose Fernandes
Egardo Pauneto
Angie Ortiz, president of the SCOS, said, “This year’s raffle gifts are fabulous. The featured prizes include the show’s theme painting by artist Toni Lance, a two-day stay vacation provided by The Landing Beach Resort, jewelry by Crucian Gold, two decorated/hand-painted bottles with twinkle lights provided by Sandy Radczenko, and orchids from our vendors!”
Brilliantly colored Cattleya orchids are prize winners at the St. Croix Orchid Society 2023 show. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The drawings will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Winners do not have to be present.
Virgin Islanders are now experiencing peak tourism season, and for many of us, this means friends and family visiting the islands. But as we gather for shared meals, we are likely to find widening differences in diet.
More and more people are choosing to become vegan — which means excluding any form of animal products from their diet. For various health reasons, others are following a gluten-free diet, which means they can’t eat any form of wheat, rye, or barley.
So what’s a host to do? Peas and rice, prepared properly, can meet the needs of those on vegan and gluten-free diets, but is there anything else?
It turns out there are plenty of delicious choices, and if you don’t want to be the one to figure it all out, St. John Veg Head can supply you with an array of meals delivered weekly throughout St. John and now to St. Thomas.
St. John Veg Head is the creation of Erin Durrell, owner of Coral Bay Catering. Every week since September 2022, she prepares a menu that always includes a quart of soup, a half-pint of dip, an appetizer, two entrées, and three veggie patties.
Erin Durrell, proprietor of Coral Bay catering, started St. John Veg Head in 2022. (Photo by Clare Weaver)
The dishes change every week. This week, the order includes white lasagna with tofu, spinach and mushrooms; a quinoa salad with roasted sweet potatoes, cranberries and nuts; and zucchini boats with savory vegetable stuffing.
Lasagna with tofu, spinach and mushrooms is on the menu this week. (Photo posted on Instagram by Erin Durrell)
The menu is meant to supplement a single person’s lunches and/or dinners for nearly a week, said Durrell. Many of her customers buy her food because it’s healthy and tasty and then add meat to it, she said.
Durrell hasn’t raised her prices since she started. An order costs $75. Customers for the following week can peruse her menus on Instagram and then text her at 340-423-6611 to order by 6 p.m. on Sunday.
“We prep on Monday and deliver to multiple places on St. John for pick up on Tuesday evening,” said Durrell. “And now we put orders on the 7 p.m. ferry to Red Hook for an additional $10.”
Grains and greens are packed into containers for delivery on Tuesdays. (Photo by Erin Durrell)
Durrell herself is something of an omnivore. “I eat everything,” she said, “but I prefer a vegan and gluten-free lifestyle. I have a lot more energy, but as a chef, I have to taste everything.”
She said people who are not typically candidates for Veg Head food are often surprised how tasty it is. “Vegan food is becoming more mainstream. I’ve learned you can make almost anything, including comfort food — like lasagna and meat loaf — by taking the meat out to make something even more flavorful and healthy.”
Her secret? Using the freshest possible ingredients, which means sourcing food locally whenever possible. “It makes a huge difference in terms of flavor, and people feel better when they eat things that are less processed. We use tons of nuts, lentils, onions, carrots and garlic, and fresh herbs. I don’t open a lot of cans or jars.”
Who says you need seafood for sushi? Durrell makes vegan raw sushi rolls with beet carpaccio. (Photo by Erin Durrell)
Although she delights in her weekly Veg Head production, it only represents a small percentage of Coral Bay Catering, her main business developed over the years on St. John. She caters parties, memorial services, meals for villa guests, and large events like the Animal Care Center fundraiser on Feb. 8.
More than 200 guests enjoyed the food made by Coral Bay Catering for the Animal Care Center’s fundraiser on Feb. 8. (Photo by Nancy Borowick)And yes, meat was served at the Animal Care Center’s fundraiser, including these pork belly with hoisin glaze appetizers. (Photo by Nancy Borowick)
Durrell began her culinary career making pizzas when she was still in high school and then became a short-order cook in a diner. After graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in forestry, she began crewing on boats.
She arrived on St. John around Christmas in 2002 with the promise of working for the season aboard a yacht that was on its way down from the States. While she waited, she took a job with KatiLady Catering, and when the boat finally got to St. John — too beat up from the delivery to go on charter — she stayed on.
When Katilady shut down in 2005, Durrell started “slinging burgers and mixing rum drinks” at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. She then took a job across the harbor in the kitchen at Shipwreck Landing for 15 years and became known as “Erin the Chef.”
Owning her own business was always her dream, and in 2015 she and Amy Starr opened a breakfast food truck, Triple B, which soon became wildly popular. When Starr left the island, Durrell started making breakfasts at Caribbean Oasis, but then Hurricane Irma changed everything in 2017.
Durrell left the culinary world to work with a contractor finishing wood and painting houses, but the allure of food preparation still called to her. She was especially intrigued by the vegetarian food prepared weekly by Lindsay Chabot at Pickles in Coral Bay back in 2015. Those meals became her inspiration for St. John Veg Head.
Clare Weaver, Erin Durrell and Shawn Chichester share a smile during a dinner party. (Photo Elizabeth Shoupe)
“The reason I’ve always continued as a chef is I’ve never stopped learning,” Durrell said. She keeps St. John Veg Head going even when her main gig as proprietor of Coral Bay Catering keeps her more than busy. “I do it out of the love for cooking and out of love for the community,“ she said. “I’m incredibly grateful.”
Jonelle-Alexis Jackson invites Virgin Islands students to explore the world of theater and the performing arts. (Photo courtesy Jonelle-Alexis Jackson)
Stage Craft Academy is a free workshop series led by Jonelle-Alexis Jackson in collaboration with ElevateWi. Open to Virgin Islands students aged 12-18 who are passionate about theater production, the program offers weekly classes on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at ElevateWi Studios.
ElevateWi is a nonprofit organization based in the U.S. Virgin Islands dedicated to fostering the creative potential of local youth. Stage Craft Academy is its latest initiative under the VI Creators Course program. Omar Ewen, founder and president of ElevateWi, emphasizes the importance of providing young Virgin Islanders with a creative space to explore the arts. “I had a vision of creating a space so many of us lacked growing up – a space to learn about the performing arts, build community, and gain support. We are thrilled to work alongside Jonelle-Alexis in curating Stage Craft Academy and look forward to future installments of this program.”
The program introduces students to various aspects of theater production, including acting, stage production, storytelling, and performing arts. In addition to technical skills, participants develop essential soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, public speaking, and time management. These skills are reinforced through team-building activities, helping students grow both creatively and personally.
Jonelle-Alexis Jackson, a Virgin Islander with an extensive background in stage production, content curation, and the performing arts, is passionate about making creative opportunities accessible to young artists. “My whole life has been dedicated to the arts and creative expression. I am a journalist, photographer, videographer, actor, scriptwriter, and content creator. I believe in the power of this work – its ability to heal, transform, and uplift our community. With arts programs disappearing from public education, it is more important than ever to create spaces where creativity can thrive.”
The community is also invited to the Stage Craft Show Night scheduled for March 15th, where the current cohort of students attending the first installment of Stage Craft Academy will present their final project. To register for this gathering, click here.
Additionally, if anyone is interested in registering for Stage Craft Academy, click here.
For questions or more information, contact ElevateWi directly at Info@vicreators.org.
“Our community has produced some of the greatest artists of our time. This work allows us to seed our culture into digital and tangible formats and uplifts the sacred art of storytelling,” Jackson said.
Accused of killing a St. Croix woman, Bobbe Lee Parker missed a Jan. 24 court hearing. Prosecutors fear he may have fled. (Shutterstock image)
When Bobbe Lee Parker failed to appear at a January hearing to face charges in the death of a St. Croix woman, prosecutors feared he may have fled, according to court records.
Superior Court Judge Douglas Brady ordered Parker to appear in person at a Feb. 19 hearing to argue why his bail should not be revoked, according to court papers filed Friday. If Parker does not show, a manhunt may be underway across central Florida.
Parker was drunk and high on cocaine and cannabis when he crashed a speeding Nissan into a Christiansted Cemetery wall around 1 a.m. Aug. 30, police said. Neither he nor his passenger, Shannon Renee Gray, 39, were wearing seat belts. Gray died at the scene. Parker, suffering from a broken femur, was treated at Juan F. Luis Hospital, where his blood alcohol level was measured at more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit, according to court records.
Parker, who had no previous criminal record in the territory, was charged with negligent homicide, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated, driving without a license, driving without a seat belt, and driving with a passenger not wearing a seat belt.
In September, Parker, who has lived in Connecticut, Florida, and Arkansas, said he would stay at Southgate Beach until his next scheduled court appearance. But in December, a judge allowed Parker to travel to family in Okeechobee, Florida, to convalesce.
After Parker failed to appear at the January hearing, a man claiming to be Parker’s father posted on social media that his son had “ran off” and urged anyone who saw him to phone police.
