Dec. 10, 2003 – The mutilated body of a 35-year old man, who had also been shot, became the subject Wednesday of the latest murder investigation on St. Croix. Police said the victim, Robert O'Connor III, was a suspect in another criminal investigation at the time his blood-soaked body was discovered on Spring Gut Road in Estate Mount Pleasant.
Police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Hannah said officers were directed to the scene by an 11:08 p.m. telephone call. They discovered a body lying face up in the roadway, covered in blood and riddled with puncture wounds to the head, chest and left leg. Spent casings were also found near the body. "When police arrived on the scene a check was made for vital signs that proved to be negative," Hannah said Wednesday.
O'Connor was pronounced dead at 2:30 a.m. at the Gov. Juan Luis Hospital.
At the time of his death, O'Connor was wanted for questioning in connection with the alleged rape of a woman the same day. "Mr. O'Connor is a suspect in an alleged rape that occurred on Tuesday morning in the Estate Mount Pleasant area." Hannah said the rape victim knew her assailant's identity and had directed investigators to his home where she said the assault took place. She also told police his name and where he worked.
"Police officers conducted a search for Mr. O'Connor in this matter."
Unfortunately he was not located either at his place of business or at his home. Today the police department was prepared to execute an arrest warrant for this individual. Unfortunately he lost his life last evening," Hannah said.
Hannah said investigations into both the rape and the murder are still underway. He also said authorities would have to consider the likelihood that someone who knew the alleged rape victim had a hand in O'Connor's death.