CARIBARENA Antigua & Barbuda

A Dominican national has confessed to the murder of American tourist Nina Elizabeth Nilssen, bringing closure to police investigations into the country’s first homicide of the year.

The incident occurred on January 19 at Windward Bay, near Pigeon Point beach.       

At a press conference Sunday afternoon, the police disclosed that 24-year-old Tishara Daniel was arrested and charged on Saturday evening for fatally stabbing the 29 year old. The police are satisfied they have the right person in custody.

Daniel and his family migrated to Antigua 10 years ago, and live in Swetes. The police do not believe he was being harboured or assisted in any way by anyone.      

They said the suspect, who frequented the English Harbour area, was picked up near Nelson’s Dockyard late last week. He is said to be co-operating with the investigations.       

Daniel is due to appear in the All Saints Magistrate’s Court [District B] Monday morning.      

The police said at this time, there is no indication the victim and the man in custody had a previous relationship.

Acting Superintendent of Police Nuffield Burnette said Daniel does not have any prior convictions, and that it is too early to determine the motive.

“I think it is yet a little early to pin down a motive, because we have no evidence of any robbery, per se, except for a camera that was stolen, but as it relates to the initial attack we would not like to say that the motive was robbery,”  Burnette said.

Last week, the police released a witness description to the media, which is now said to be “dead on”.     

Act Superintendent Burnette said the police seized a few items at the scene of the crime, one of which could qualify as the murder weapon.        

He also said he appreciates the public’s assistance lately.

“We want to emphasize our gratitude to the public for the assistance it has been giving, and we want it to continue … This is because as long as the public continues to partner with the police, unsolved crimes, particularly murders, will be a thing of the past. The public has been terrific lately by supporting the police, and we do not want to do anything at all that will interfere with what we have started to build. As long as that continues, we should see some good work from the police,” Burnette said.       

Nilssen’s family, who were briefed moments before the press conference, have since expressed gratitude to the investigative team, and are thankful for the kind treatment they were afforded while in Antigua.      

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Tom Bennett was critical of comments that the case was given more attention than the remaining list of rapes and island-wide robberies that have gone unsolved.

“There has been a downturn in the number of reported cases [rapes]…” he said. “None of the crimes that are reported will be left aside. They will still be investigated fully by our members, and whether things are occurring on a daily basis or old cases, we treat with equal importance, and if information comes to the forefront with respect to those investigations we follow up on it.       

“Because we have a press conference for this one doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t have press conference for others. We just want the public – those living here in Antigua and those visiting – to rest assured that any complaint that comes in, police will do their utmost to solve it.”

See related stories:

Dominican Arrested for Murder

Murder Arrest

Police Maintain description of Killer

Police Still Chasing Suspect

Murderer Eludes Police

Police Were on Patrol During Murder

Cops and Authorities Take Heat

Govt Calls Murder Regretful

Police Describe Murder Suspect

Murder Update- Another Tourist Murded

Police Investigate Murder

Woman Murdered

 

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