Anguilla releases new details in manslaughter case against Darien financial adviser

<p>Police in Anguilla have released new details in an investigation involving a Connecticut&nbsp;financial adviser charged in the death of&nbsp;a hotel worker, a case that has caused racial tensions on a Caribbean island that caters to wealthy vacationers.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 24, 2019, 10:49 AM

Updated 2,065 days ago

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Police in Anguilla have released new details in an investigation involving a financial adviser from Darien charged in the death of a hotel worker, a case that has caused racial tensions on a Caribbean island that caters to wealthy vacationers.
Police spokesman Randy Dick told News 12 Wednesday that the two young daughters of U.S. tourist Gavin Hapgood were in the room at the Malliouhana Hotel when 27-year-old worker Kenny Mitchell was killed April 13. 
Mitchell's death certificate shows he died from prone restraint, asphyxia and blunt force trauma to his head, neck and torso. 
Hapgood was arrested and charged with manslaughter, Dick says. He was taken to court, initially but denied bail. Later that day, Hapgood's attorney filed an application to the high court and a cash bond was set at  $74,000. 
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Mitchell's friends and family to pay for funeral expenses. 
Dick says the exact reason Mitchell was in the room is still unknown to police but he says the victim worked for the hotel's maintenance department.
Hapgood is currently back in the U.S. and his release has sparked anger among Anguillans, who are demanding that he return to face justice.
Hapgood is employed by UBS and works out of their Stamford, Connecticut office. A spokesperson for UBS commented on the incident in a statement saying, "We are aware of the recent events in Anguilla and are following the situation closely. As you will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for us to provide any comment in relation to an active criminal proceeding." 
Dick says the Connecticut resident is expected to return for an Aug. 22 hearing.
The Chief Minister of Anguilla Victor Banks is calling for calm and faith in the justice system "even when we are justifiably outraged or emotionally distressed."