A t-shirt and pieces of jewelry have been recovered during a large-scale search for 37-year-old Keon Richards, who has been missing for over a week.
The items were found on Sunday, March 9, as police, family members, and community volunteers combed through multiple locations in an effort to locate the Yorks resident. The search began at 6:30 a.m. from the St. John’s Police Station at Dredge Bay and covered Villa, Fort Road, Fort James Beach, Old Runaway, Dry Hill, Anchorage Road, McKinnon, Dickenson Bay, Soldier Bay, and Weatherills Estate. Drones were also deployed to aid the search.
While the t-shirt and jewelry have been taken for further analysis, authorities have not confirmed whether they belong to Richards.
Drones were also deployed to assist in the effort, but by the time the operation concluded at 11:30 a.m., Richards had yet to be found. However, a t-shirt and pieces of jewelry were discovered and have been taken in for further analysis.
Richards, a resident of Yorks originally from Parham, was last seen on February 26 at his workplace at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort. Concern was raised after he failed to report to any of his two jobs, including his role with the School Meals Programme. His mother, Dian Clarke, was alerted to his disappearance by officials from Sandals after colleagues noticed his absence. Clarke later reported the matter to the police after multiple attempts to contact him by phone went unanswered.
The concerned mother described her son as a responsible individual who would not normally miss work or fail to check in with family. She last spoke with him on February 18 during a phone call and has since made a heartfelt plea for the public’s help in finding him.
Richards is described as six feet tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds, with a brown complexion. He is known for frequently wearing a hat.
Last week, the Police Administration said it was concerned over the increasing number of missing persons cases reported recently. Authorities, as part of offering tips to the public, encouraged residents to notify loved ones of their whereabouts and to report disappearances to law enforcement as soon as possible.
Richards is one of three recent missing persons cases being investigated by police. Authorities are also seeking information regarding the disappearances of Orden “Passo” David of Bolans—missing since January 25—and Donna-Marie Christian, among others.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with knowledge of these cases to come forward and contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline at 800-8477.
