Retired Police Captain Enrique Saldana was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, according to the V.I. Police Department.
Major Crime Bureau detectives on St. Thomas arrested the 51-year-old Saldana, who was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing.
Police were notified of the incident at 7:43 a.m. Friday when 911 dispatchers received a call from a man at the Food Center Supermarket in Estate Fredenhoj. The caller said his girlfriend was not breathing and requested an escort to the hospital.
The man, later identified as Saldana, was escorted to the Roy L. Schneider Hospital by a law enforcement officer. At the hospital, Saldana told officers he had been at Vessup Beach with his wife, 43 year-old Jeanette Magras-Saldana, and that while they were at the beach his wife collapsed and stopped breathing.
Emergency Room Medical Staff pronounced Magras-Saldana dead on arrival.
The medical staff said Magras-Saldana’s body had several bruises. Saldana was detained for questioning and later provided detectives with a statement. Preliminary investigation revealed that Magras-Saldana sustained multiple bodily injuries, some of which caused severe black and blue bruising.
Additionally, medical personnel said the victim appeared to have died several hours prior to her arrival at the hospital. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined pending completion of an autopsy.
Saldana was arrested at approximately 6 p.m. Friday. In addition to second-degree murder, Saldana was charged with voluntary manslaughter, first-degree assault and third-degree assault. His bail was set at $500,000 and he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice of rights hearing.
Saldana was one of three officers convicted in 2010 of extortion.
Detectives continue to investigate the case. Anyone with information related to the crime can contact the VIPD Major Crimes Unit at 1-340-642-8449, the 911 dispatch center or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.
VI Vested:
Another Sad, Sad One. Sitting in the nail salon yesterday, where Jeanette frequented, the conversations and photo-sharing were high. I sat there in utter disgust. It was on March 7th (a Friday as well) that blood was shed on our soil in a Domestic Violence situation. We are a tiny community with many ills and they touch us. No, they Penetrate US. Yet those who need to Listen (not only hear); those who should support Victims who need help and seek it; those who should direct and encourage abusers to seek help; those who should support agencies that help (not just talk)… DO NOT. Our People get Silent, they get Inactive. They act like they don’t know, what we know that they know. Secrecy and hush-hush business eventually erupts!! I know a place that aids Victims of Domestic Violence and Intervenes with Abusers/ Perpetrators of Domestic Violence. If you don’t need them, someone you Know, needs them. Support them. They are available to victims At No Charge, 24 hours per day including holidays, nights and weekends, and can be reached at 340-776-STIOP (7867). Remember the number.
I do not understand WHY this man was not in jail since he was convicted in the 2010 extortion case?
His wife would be alive today had he been in jail where he belonged when he was convicted. What’s up with that?
I was wondering the same thing. What was his original sentence? And how is it he was out? Another needless death. So sad for her family and friends. Is he collecting a pension? Here is an idea to assist GERS. Quit allowing scumbags to “retire” and instead enact a law similar to every other jurisdiction where you forfeit your government retirement when you commit and are convicted of a crime while having an official position.
Men, learn to leave. Go to a bar and have a few drinks. Remove yourselves from any contentious environment . Women, your weapon is your mouth backed by emotions. Learn to shut up. A clap cannot be made without two hands.
VI Vested:
The Questions keep spinning through my mind;
Did She seek help?
Did He seek help?
What were the signs, the signals, the Red Flags? Were there promises of harm? Threats? Priors beatings? Who were the eyewitnesses prior to the Medical Examiner & prior to yesterday? Who were the ear witnesses to what was going on between these two? Law enforcement & “in the trenches” agencies cannot be in every home!! Parents, stop coddling children so they won’t grow up to be Monsters or Accept Abuse!! Families, stop keeping secrets and sheltering evil-doers!! Law Makers, improve the needed Social and Mental Health services!! Support evidence-based & outcome-bearing entities without prejudice and without a fight!!
I pray that someone somewhere can gain something… some bravery, some “turn-around”, some help from this tragedy.
Lord Help Us in these Islands of Ours.
VI Vested:
There is NO Excuse for Abuse.
Call 340-776-3966 to learn more.
VI Vested:
Seems like such an early release. But since the sentencing are too often lop-sided, what do we have in place for criminals to successfully re-enter our communities and not re-offend? The next offense is usually more severe than the initial offense.
I didn’t know this beautiful young lady but I have family and friends that did. What I did know about her is that she supported this low life through his entire trial. She was always photographed at his side. I will always remember this case for this reason and for the nice things people had to say about her. I believe she probably endured a lot of abuse during their relationship and we will never understand why she stayed. Domestic violence whether verbal, physical or psychological is real. We need to be strong enough to seek help and escape from these kinds of harmful and potentially deadly situations. Sadly there is a child involved who will always wonder why their mother had to die. Thoughts and prayers to her family and we hope justice is served.
Source, you have it WRONG, Not retired Police officer….he should be described as Convicted felon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He Strangled and sexually
abused her!!!!!! Hope he rots in Hell!!!!!!