When someone goes missing, authorities usually release their name and description when asking for the public’s help in finding them.
But that’s not what happened last week.
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Sept. 5, a “male” called 911 from a vessel travelling from Jost Van Dyke that had begun taking on water, police said in a short press release issued the next day.
In response, marine police officers and Virgin Islands Search and Rescue “immediately” launched a “coordinated search operation” in the area, according to the release.
“During the search, the partially submerged vessel and, tragically, the body of a young woman was found,” the release stated. “Despite extensive efforts, the male individual was not found.”
The vessel and the woman — who police said was not a VI resident — were transported to the VI Law Enforcement Marine Base at Road Reef, where the woman was officially pronounced dead.
“The [police] and partner agencies will continue searching in the area for the missing individual,” the release stated.
No names
Police Information Officer Akia Thomas-Nero said Sept. 11 that police know the identity of the woman but “have to make sure a family member confirms it” before releasing it publicly.
She added that she couldn’t confirm or deny if police know the identity of the man.
Police did not provide a description of the boat, details about the location of the incident, or any other information.
Nevertheless, they asked the public for help.
“If you have any information concerning this incident, please contact the [police] Marine Unit at 368-9349 or 368-9462,” the release stated. “All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.”