Family fights to keep murder from among cold cases

While noting that tomorrow (June 10) will mark three months since 31-year-old Ashburn Dawson was shot dead near the Sunday Morning Well in Road Town, relatives of the deceased said they are offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the murderer.

The family did not disclose the amount of money being offered, but it noted in a media release that it does not want Dawson’s death to be added to the pile of unsolved murders.

“We would not wish Ashburn’s death to be added to the statistics of unsolved murders. It is with this in mind that the family has pooled resources, and made the decision to offer a financial reward for information leading to the arrest and ultimate prosecution of the perpetrator in this crime,” said Lena Thomas, aunt of the deceased.

She added, “It is our hope and sincere prayer that persons will be encouraged to come forward and provide any information which will assist the police in their investigation. Please help us – please support our family in our endeavor to get justice for Ashburn.”

The family also said there are still a number of unanswered questions regarding the gun murder.

It explained: “Information that would be helpful to the Major Investigation Team now is where Ashburn was prior to 9:30pm on March 10 when he was shot. Was someone following him that evening or was the gunman waiting for him at that location near the Sunday Morning Well on the Friday night of March 10?”

“Detectives don’t know exactly where Ashburn had been that evening, who he was with, and who he had been speaking to prior to him being shot. Did he have an argument with someone? Was there some other motive for wanting him dead?” the family further asked.

Dawson, 31, has left a son behind.

His mother Leoniece Thomas-Francis expressed hope that the reward will encourage someone to come forward and help to bring closure to the tragedy.

“Just as painful as the loss, is the fact that a person living in the community I live in, is walking around, sharing my space, free to do this again to someone else’s son. It keeps me awake at night. It should bother all of us,” she reasoned.

“To date, the murder remains unsolved, and that is why the family is offering a reward for any information that may be linked to the arrest and prosecution of the murderer.”

Dawson’s family further said: “Persons with information can contact the Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Joe Goff or one of his team directly at 368-9410. All information will be treated sensitively and with the highest level of confidentiality.”