Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - On Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:13p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 and reported that a female was in the archway of building 5 of Oswald Harris Court (OCH), St. Thomas, and she appeared to be bleeding from the head.

Upon responding officers’ arrival to building 5, contact was made with a black female that appeared to be unresponsive. Emergency Medical Technicians also responded to the scene and checked the female for signs of life. At 1:23p.m., the Medical Examiner concluded that the female did not have any vital signs.

The victim was identified by next of kin as 39-year-old Laura Blyden of Oswald Harris Court building 5.

Investigation revealed that Ms. Blyden suffered at least one puncture wound to the upper body.

Law Enforcement received news that the suspect was in the area of building 2 of the Oswald Harris Court housing community. Officers made contact with 37-year-old Ahjahra Francis and he was placed in custody.

Ahjahra Francis

Ahjahra Francis was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. Bail will be set pending Advise of Rights hearing.

Anyone having any information about this incident, contact the Virgin Islands Police Department at (340) 774-2211 or the Major Crimes Unit at (340) 642-8449 . You can also contact Crime Stoppers VI at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - On Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:13p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 and reported that a female was in the archway of building 5 of Oswald Harris Court (OCH), St. Thomas, and she appeared to be bleeding from the head.

Upon responding officers’ arrival to building 5, contact was made with a black female that appeared to be unresponsive. Emergency Medical Technicians also responded to the scene and checked the female for signs of life. At 1:23p.m., the Medical Examiner concluded that the female did not have any vital signs.

The victim was identified by next of kin as 39-year-old Laura Blyden of Oswald Harris Court building 5.

Investigation revealed that Ms. Blyden suffered at least one puncture wound to the upper body.

Law Enforcement received news that the suspect was in the area of building 2 of the Oswald Harris Court housing community. Officers made contact with 37-year-old Ahjahra Francis and he was placed in custody.

Ahjahra Francis

Ahjahra Francis was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. Bail will be set pending Advise of Rights hearing.

Anyone having any information about this incident, contact the Virgin Islands Police Department at (340) 774-2211 or the Major Crimes Unit at (340) 642-8449 . You can also contact Crime Stoppers VI at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

# # #

All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - On Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:13p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 and reported that a female was in the archway of building 5 of Oswald Harris Court (OCH), St. Thomas, and she appeared to be bleeding from the head.

Upon responding officers’ arrival to building 5, contact was made with a black female that appeared to be unresponsive. Emergency Medical Technicians also responded to the scene and checked the female for signs of life. At 1:23p.m., the Medical Examiner concluded that the female did not have any vital signs.

The victim was identified by next of kin as 39-year-old Laura Blyden of Oswald Harris Court building 5.

Investigation revealed that Ms. Blyden suffered at least one puncture wound to the upper body.

Law Enforcement received news that the suspect was in the area of building 2 of the Oswald Harris Court housing community. Officers made contact with 37-year-old Ahjahra Francis and he was placed in custody.

Ahjahra Francis

Ahjahra Francis was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. Bail will be set pending Advise of Rights hearing.

Anyone having any information about this incident, contact the Virgin Islands Police Department at (340) 774-2211 or the Major Crimes Unit at (340) 642-8449 . You can also contact Crime Stoppers VI at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

# # #

All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.