A British couple have been found dead at their home in Jamaica in what local police are treating as a suspected double-murder.
The bodies of Gayle Anderson, 71, and her husband Charlie, 74, were discovered ‘partially burned’ at their house in Mount Pleasant, Jamaica in the early hours of Friday morning – local media reported.
The couple, who had retired to Jamaica from Manchester, were said to have sustained several wounds to the neck and face.
Police are now appealing for help from the public in solving the crime.
Gayle Anderson, 71, and her husband Charlie, 74, were discovered ‘partially burned’ at their house in Mount Pleasant, Jamaica on Friday
The couple were said to have recently retired to the rural community of Mount Pleasant (pictured) from Manchester
Preliminary police investigations revealed that the couple had recently been defrauded of $8million Jamaican dollars (£45,000) by credit card scammers.
According to a family member, between August last year and May of this year, a total of 45 credit card transactions were made at prominent hardware stores and supermarkets in Portland without their knowledge.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Throyville Haughton told The Sunday Gleaner: ‘Both bodies had wounds to the neck and face. However, we are not yet able to say what might have caused those injuries.
‘We are making every effort to bring closure to this heinous crime, and as such, we are getting assistance from our Area Headquarters and also from Technical Services from Kingston. Our detectives are still in the area carrying out investigations.’
Deputy Superintendent of Police Throyville Haughton (pictured) said authorities were appealing for help from the public
Mr and Mrs Anderson’s sons said in a statement to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office: ‘Our parents Charlie and Gayle enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 55 years and leave behind their four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
‘They were hardworking people, building a business with integrity and making sure we were always provided for.
‘Charlie and Gayle were pillars of the community in Manchester and Jamaica, and were hugely popular and loved by many.
‘They were just beginning the next chapter of their lives, retiring to Jamaica before this terrible tragedy.
‘We would like to thank our friends, family and community for their prayers and support.
‘We are completely devastated and ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time.’