UK NEWS
HONEYMOON HORROR: WE ARE UTTERLY DEVASTATED
Ben and Catherine Mullany
By Martyn Brown
The families of newlyweds Ben and Catherine Mullany, who were shot on their Caribbean honeymoon, spoke last night of their terrible loss.
In a statement, both the families said: “We are absolutely devastated by the events of the past week and the loss of Ben and Catherine.
“We would like to thank our friends and family for their overwhelming support and kindness.”
Ben’s parents also revealed that they have agreed for his organs to be donated for transplant operations.
Ken and Marilyn Mullany told friends it would have been physiotherapist Ben’s wish because of his medical background and that of paediatrician Catherine. The couple were both 31.
It is understood the question of his organs being used for transplant was raised by his family after he was declared brain dead.
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He knew the security guards and was allowed entry
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Miss Conway, from Kingston upon Thames
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Yesterday, Antiguan police investigating the double murder said chief suspect Clarence “Cloud” James, 31, who admits selling drugs and has a conviction for possession of a gun, cannot prove his alibi for the night the Mullanys were shot.
As part of the murder probe, the police have seized a rental car he was using that night. The white Toyota Corolla is being combed for forensic evidence amid suspicions he used it to take the couple on a tour.
James claims he was partying at the island’s annual carnival on the night intruders forced their way into the couple’s villa and gunned them down. More than 30 people have been questioned and released but James remains the person police are “most interested in”.
Detective Inspector Nuffield Burnette, who is heading the inquiry, said: “I still think James is not telling us the truth. He answers basic questions in a way which proves to me that he is lying. He is a beach person. He is on the beach basically every day and is very likely to have met them.”
Last night, British student Leanne Conway, 23, said James befriended her while she was on a family holiday in Antigua four months ago.
Miss Conway, from Kingston upon Thames, London, said the Antiguan had a “free run” of the Cocos Hotel resort where the couple were shot.
She said: “He knew the security guards and was allowed entry.”
The new deadline for charges or James’s release will be the early hours of Thursday morning.
The investigation has also been stepped up with the arrival of a team of Scotland Yard murder detectives.
The five-man squad includes an inspector from South Wales Police.
Detective Superintendent Keith Nevin, heading the visiting team, said: “James is still being interviewed. The rules of detention are different here.”
