Another Day, Another Brit Dies in Paradise

Robert Hathaway (more popularly known as Bob) was discovered by Gros Islet police dead at his home in Piat, Grande Riviere on January 13, 2019 following a tip-off. Reportedly there were “apparent wounds to the body”. At press time there had been no arrests. Police say no suspects have been identified and, as of Friday, the post-mortem had not been completed. 

Hathaway was a British national. He was educated in the United Kingdom and worked there until he moved to Saint Lucia. According to his business website, Marigot Sunshine, he started working here in 2001. He was the manager at the Marigot Bay Marina from about 2006 until 2014 when he started his own business, making a definitive mark in the tourism industry. The tourism and yachting communities in Saint Lucia have been expressing condolences on social media. Hathaway also served on the board of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association.  

The people I encountered along a rocky, narrow road to Hathaway’s residence claimed they knew little of the deceased. He had only been living in Piat for a year or so and, by all accounts, shared a cordial relationship with fellow residents. One said, “I was not there when it happened so I don’t know who found him. But the police used my house to question people.”

The same source said Hathaway moved around with great difficulty. “The only time we really communicated was one day when he fell and I helped him out. Other than that he would greet me from his vehicle or from his balcony. He lived with two young women. I don’t know where they are now. He was a very private man.”

A police officer at the scene of the crime was not able to give any information about the incident. He sat in the balcony guarding the premises, with the outdoor lights on despite that it was late morning. There was laundry on clothes lines outside but the entire property was cordoned by police tape. Yet another facet of Hathaway’s life has unfolded on social media. Via screenshots of a Facebook conversation allegedly between Hathaway and someone else, the deceased had explained why he shared his home with two young women.  

Hathaway’s death is the latest in a series of unsolved cases involving British nationals. January 17 marked five years since Roger Pratt’s murder in Saint Lucia aboard his vessel Magnetic Attraction. Suspects have not yet been tried. His widow, Margaret Pratt, commented briefly about Hathaway’s death: “Roger and Bob were both men of great intellect. For them to share a similar fate, both murdered on this violent, paradise island shortly after their respective retirements, is hard to take. My heart goes out to Bob’s family and friends at this dreadfully sad time. I know what you are going through.”

Roy Broughton was last seen on November 15, 2018 and remains missing. British-Saint Lucian Oliver Gobat’s charred remains were found in his burned-out vehicle on April 25, 2014. There have been no arrests. Gloria Greenwood was found dead in her garden on October 16, 2011. Her daughters in Britain await their day in court. The case remains unsolved. Jane Tipson was shot dead on September 17, 2003 with no arrests to date and despite money being offered in exchange for useful information.