Mysterious Disappearances Raise Alarms in Antigua

Residents are increasingly unsettled as disappearances on the island prompt urgent calls for action and investigation.

Six years have passed since Hyacinth Gage, 74, mysteriously vanished in Antigua after a routine hospital visit, leaving her family in an agonizing limbo of uncertainty and fear. Her daughter, Patricia Joseph, reflects on the haunting memory of her mother’s last moments, hoping for clues in the raincoat her mother wore that fateful day. The growing number of disappearances on this small Caribbean island has raised significant alarms among residents, with at least nine cases reported in just the last two years.

Hyacinth’s disappearance initiated desperate island-wide searches and community-led investigations. Patricia and her sister took it upon themselves to gather information, even encountering hostility from local police. “We became detectives,” Patricia recalls, tracking leads and questioning hospital staff about the last sightings of her mother. Despite their efforts, they encountered roadblocks and growing frustration from law enforcement, leading them to surrender their inquiries to prayer.

As anniversaries pass without resolution, the shadow of a larger crisis looms over Antigua. Observers note the island has an unusually high number of disappearances compared to neighbors like St Kitts, which accounts for nearly all missing persons every year. Theories abound—some blame an underfunded police force lacking the resources to investigate effectively, while others speculate sinister forces may be at play. Patricia Gage fears organ trafficking or gang-related activity might be involved, noting, “Other islands find bodies eventually.”

The crisis gained national attention following the recent disappearance and subsequent discovery of nine-year-old Chantel Crump's body, which incited public outrage and protests. Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers acknowledged that improvements in handling missing persons cases are required, refraining from dismissing any theories, including the possibility of trafficking. Community members, including Patricia, are now organizing to seek international assistance in confronting what they believe is a growing crisis.

Additional cases like that of Roman Mussabekov, who vanished while vacationing on the island in 2017, highlight a disturbing trend of unresolved disappearances. These cases suggest an alarming lack of clarity, prompting private citizens to compile a list of nearly 60 missing individuals over the past decade, amplifying fears that many cases may remain unsolved.

The difficulty in investigating these cases is compounded by limitations in forensic capabilities, as DNA samples often need to be sent overseas for analysis. Recent updates reveal plans for a new forensic lab, but concerns about inadequate funding persist.

Community members express a deep frustration with the authorities, claiming corruption and mismanagement in the police force exacerbate public mistrust. “People don’t trust the police; corruption is rampant,” one activist stated.

As families search for answers, the urgency for decisive action grows. “It’s time to take serious action,” Patricia implores, hoping for renewed investigations into these disappearances before more lives are disrupted. The heartbreaking question remains—who will be next?