St James Police have charged 33-year-old Rushawn Patterson with the murder of 35-year-old social media influencer “Slickianna,” whose first name was Aneka Townsend.
In addition, 47-year-old security guard Rohan Rose, also known as “Early B,” has been charged with embezzling a felony in connection with the case.
A felony suspicion is a crime that occurs when someone knows a crime has been committed but fails to inform the authorities.
Townsend’s body was recovered by Marine Police at sea in the reading area of St James on Friday morning, October 21.
Police say a post-mortem conducted on November 5 found her death was caused by strangulation.
According to police, the autopsy estimates Townsend was killed sometime between 11 p.m. Thursday, October 20 and 9 a.m. Friday, October 21.
They say a wealth of forensic, cyber-forensic and other technological evidence was amassed over the course of the investigation.
After consultation with prosecutors and the JCF’s legal department, Patterson was formally charged with murder this afternoon.
Police say the investigation found Townsend traveled from Kingston to Montego Bay on Thursday, October 20, where she was picked up by Patterson at around 7:30 p.m
According to the police, during the evening they visited a restaurant in Hanover and a guesthouse in St. James.
Police further stated that an argument broke out between them sometime during the night, which resulted in Patterson strangling Townsend and disposing of her body.
On November 2, Patterson was arrested during a high-level, intelligence-led police operation.
He was later charged with an unrelated assault case that occurred at St Andrew South Police Department.
Those charges stemmed from an incident in 2018 in which he allegedly physically assaulted a woman after jealous rage, police say.
This matter is being heard in Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.
Police say an investigation is ongoing as it is suspected that Patterson was involved in other incidents similar to those for which he was charged.
Because of this, investigators are asking the public for information that might help in the investigation.
Individuals may contact the Montego Bay CIB at 876-684-9080, Crime Stop at 311, Police Emergency at 119, or the nearest police station.
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