JAMAICA | PNP Breaks Silence, Deeply Saddenned, Shocked by death of Sarayah Paulwell,Toshyna Patterson

KINGSTON, Jamaica. October 13, 2023: The People's National Party (PNP) says it  is deeply saddened and shocked over what it describes as “the heart-wrenching incident involving the abduction and murder of MP Phillip Paulwell’s 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell, and her mother, Toshyna Patterson.”

In a statement today, the Party said it had reserved its formal statement until charges had been brought against the accused perpetrators, thereby confirming that Toshyna and Sarayah had been killed.

The People's National Party  “extends our deepest condolences to Phillip Paulwell, the family of Toshyna Patterson, and all those affected by this tragedy,” the statement said.

The PNP says the party “vehemently condemns this heinous and unthinkable act. We expect that the law will punish the perpetrators of this atrocious crime to the fullest extent possible.”

The party “commended the Jamaican police for their swift and detailed investigation which has brought some clarity to the nation in a relatively short period. Their dedication and commitment to uncovering the truth in this case is commendable.”

“This is a grim reminder of the urgent need to protect women and children in Jamaica, and we stand in solidarity with all those who advocate for their safety and well-being.

“In times of darkness, the strength of a nation is tested. Let us emerge from this tragedy more resolute in our efforts to create a safer, more compassionate society for all Jamaicans,” the PNP’s statement concluded.

US Navy petty officer Leoda Bradshaw and three others have been charged with murder and other offences in relation to the abduction and killing of the 10-month-old daughter of Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell and her mother.

Deputy commissioner of police in charge of crime Fitz Bailey on Friday said that 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter Sarayah Paulwell were “brutally murdered and their bodies disposed of.

“It is one of the most painful investigations for the team in recent times,” Bailey said.

The allegations were detailed in a press release issued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Friday, after police revealed that 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter Sarayah Paulwell were murdered and their bodies disposed of.

It is alleged that Bradshaw was in a relationship and shares a child with Paulwell, who she considered to be her spouse.

A US resident, she allegedly arrived in Jamaica on September 6, and on the said day began conspiring the alleged kidnapping and murder plot with her cousin Roland Balfour, Richard Brown and Roshane Miller.

​​“During these conversations up to the 9th of September, 2023, there was an agreement made under the direction of Leoda Bradshaw for these men to kidnap and kill Toshyna Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell who was the product of a relationship that Ms Patterson had had with Mr Phillip Paulwell.

This plan also contained part payment (which had been made) of a certain amount of money by Leoda Bradshaw to the men for the successful execution of the plan,” the ODPP stated in the release.

It is further alleged that on September 9, Patterson and her 10-month-old daughter were taken from their home at Gilmore Drive in Kingston by Bradshaw in a tinted SUV. The mother and child were subsequently delivered to men, including two of Bradshaw’s co-conspirators in St Andrew.

Patterson and her daughter were said to be then forcibly taken to an area in East Kingston and murdered by the men who were armed with a firearm.

The ODPP said Bradshaw is charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts conspiracy to kidnapping, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder.

-Roland Balfour, a 30-year-old assistant graphic designer of a Kingston address, who has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of conspiracy to kidnapping and misprison of felon;

-Roshane miller, a 29-year-old air condition technician, who has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts conspiracy to kidnapping, and misprison of felon; and

-Richard Brown, otherwise called “Richie”, of a Kingston address, who has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of conspiracy to kidnapping, and two counts of kidnapping.

The Office of the DPP said the capital murder counts against Bradshaw are based on the allegations of a contract for hire arrangement where she allegedly paid persons a sum of money to kidnap and murder Toshyna Patterson and Sarayah Paulwell contrary to section (2)(1)(e)(i) of the Offences Against the Person Act.

Bradshaw and Balfour appeared in the Home Circuit Court on Friday by way of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment and are scheduled to return to the court on December 1, 2023 when their matters will be mentioned, the ODPP said.

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