Man sought over death in Jamaica

The body of Barbara Scott-Jones, 61, was found on Friday in a pit near her holiday home in the northwest of the Caribbean island.

Police want to speak to Omar Reid, who worked as caretaker to Ms Scott-Jones, who came from Leeds.

Ms Scott-Jones, reported missing on 14 March was described by her family as a "wonderful, selfless woman."

The former nurse had been in Jamaica since January and had been due to return home next month.

She was reported missing by her family in the UK who became concerned after she failed to return calls.

These concerns heightened when they received an unfamiliar text message.

'Horrific death'

They said she had been travelling to the country for extended periods for many years and had been renovating her holiday home.

Ms Scott-Jones's ex-husband and daughter have flown to Jamaica and are due to be joined by her other two children on Sunday.

Her family said in a statement: "We are completely devastated by the horrific death of Barbara and appeal to anybody with information to contact the Jamaican police.

"Mum was a wonderful selfless woman who had given most of her life to others in bringing up her three children and in her 20-year marriage with Charles, whom she remained close friends."

The local police, who had set up a task force to oversee the search, found Ms Scott-Jones' body, clad only in her underwear, in a cess pit.

She had several wounds to her head, broken teeth and nose, and a fractured skull.

Caretaker

The skull injury was probably the cause of death, police said.

Constable Craig Sterling of St James police in Jamaica said they could not confirm reports that Mr Reid and Ms Scott-Jones were in a relationship.

He said: "He is actually her caretaker. We're not sure how close a relationship they had. But he is being sought at the moment."

But her family said he had been helping her renovate her property and there was no evidence their relationship was "intimate."

A Foreign Office spokesman said officials from the High Commission in Jamaica have been in touch with close relatives who are also in the country to offer assistance.

Ms Scott-Jones is reported to be the first tourist killed in Jamaica this year.

There were more than 1,400 murders in Jamaica in 2007, including 19 police officers.