A male suspect has been arrested after a body was found near a burnt-out car in Bad Cox on Wednesday, 7 January.
According to the Royal Anguilla Police Force, preliminary investigations have determined that the victim was “involved in a violent incident involving his motor vehicle” before his death.
He has not yet been named.
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The incident, which took place sometime after 6am, is being treated as a suspected homicide and arson as investigations continue, police said in a press release.
Officers initially responded to a report of a vehicle on fire and on arrival discovered the victim’s body in a nearby yard.
The scene was secured and processed by forensic personnel, and the body was subsequently transported to a funeral home pending a post-mortem examination.
The male suspect remains in police custody and is assisting with the ongoing investigation, police said in the press release on 7 January.
In an earlier statement, police said the force is aware of the circulation of video footage of the vehicle engulfed in flames as well as a photograph of an alleged victim.
“Members of the public are strongly urged to desist from sharing such content, as it is causing more harm than good, particularly to affected families and the wider community,” police said.
The death marks the first homicide in Anguilla of 2026. There were 11 homicides recorded during 2025 – with no charges brought in any of the cases.
Six homicides were recorded in 2024, with charges brought in just one of those cases. Five homicides were recorded in 2023, again with charges brought in just one case.
In September 2024, police told Anguilla Focus that lack of charges could be attributed to the “unique challenges” presented by each case.
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