“This marks a new low,” – Prime Minister Holness

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described the killing of 34-year-old Kimberly Wright, and her four children as a “new low” in the level of violence in Jamaica, and is calling for residents to find new ways of resolving conflicts.  

Wright, and her four children: Kimana Smith, 15,  Shemari Smith, 10, Kafana Smith, five, and 23-month-old Kishaun Henry were found dead in the Coco Piece community in Clarendon this morning.

Their throats were slashed.

In a statement, the prime minister emphasised that the murders show extreme contempt for the sanctity of life.

“Horrific murders such as these are shocking to our very core and we must finally resolve as a country to set aside differences and take every action necessary, in an all-of-society effort to save lives and eradicate violence at its root,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chang, who is acting as prime minister in the absence of Andrew Holness who is overseas on government business, said that the police are continuing their investigations and a breakthrough is expected in short order.

"These were young promising children with their entire lives ahead of them. Ms. Wright was a hardworking and honest young woman who was making a life for herself and her children. This barbarity is deplorable," Chang said.

The police have named Rushane Barnett, the deceased's cousin, as a person of interest in relation to the killings.

Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson said "by all indications it seems to be a domestic matter".

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