The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) is shedding light on the events leading up to Joy St. Omer’s death, after facing intense scrutiny from the public regarding how the situation was managed.
St Omer, 24, of Au Tabor, Anse La Raye, met her demise in Marigot on Wednesday, May 20, after being gunned down in a vehicle.
A subsequent post-mortem revealed she died from haemorrhagic shock due to multiple injuries to the chest, head, and right upper limb.
St Omer’s husband, 34-year-old Primus Toussaint of Belvedere, Canaries was later charged for her murder.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Luke Defreitas broached the issue, noting that the homicide had generated much interest. “A lot has been said in relation to the homicide of Joy St Omer,” he acknowledged.
Timeline of Events
February 19 – Joy St Omer makes report to Anse la Raye Police Station
“This situation first came to the Anse la Raye Police Station on Thursday the 19th of February 2026 when Joy St Omer made a report of assault to the Anse la Raye Police Station. She was interviewed and referred to the Family Court for further intervention,” Defreitas told reporters.
St Omer returned to the Anse la Raye Police Station that same day about 5:10 p.m. equipped with an interim protection order for three days. “Along with that interim protection order was a summons for Primus Toussaint to appear before the Family Court on Tuesday the 24th of February 2026,” he added.
“Immediately, the Anse la Raye Police Station proceeded with Miss Joy St Omer to a residence shared by herself and [Toussaint], where the interim protection order was served,” the Assistant Commissioner stated.
February 24, March 8 – St Omer appears at Family Court with Toussaint; files another report later
According to Defreitas, on February 24, 2026, St Omer appeared at the Family Court with Toussaint, and at that sitting, the protection order was extended for six months.
“On [Sunday], March 8, about 6:15 p.m., [St Omer] again reports to the Anse la Raye Police Station that she was assaulted at her mother’s residence by Primus Toussaint. I must say, on the day that the interim protection order was served, the Anse la Raye Police Station did assist Miss St Omer in leaving the residence she shared with Toussaint and assisted her in getting to her mother’s residence at Au Tabor,” said Defreitas.
March 9 – St Omer interviewed by Anse la Raye police; statement recorded
On Monday, March 9, St Omer was interviewed comprehensively by police and her statement was recorded, in which she recounted other incidents in addition to the assault on Sunday, March 8.
March 11 – Operation launched following numerous attempts to arrest Toussaint
“After several attempts were made days [prior]… an operation was launched which extended between Canaries and Marigot in an effort to locate [Toussaint]. Toussaint was eventually arrested at his residence about 9 a.m. [on March 11],” the ACP stated.
March 13 – Toussaint charged with breaching protection order
Additionally, on Friday, March 13th, “Toussaint was formally charged with… breaching the protection order; one count of harm, one count of assault [and] one count of threats.”
He was taken to court on Monday, March 16, and he was remanded to the Bordelais Correctional Facility after police objected to his bail.
Tuesday, April 21 and 22 – Investigators informed that Toussaint has applied for bail; bail granted
According to the ACP, “On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, police investigators received information from the Office of the [DPP] that [Toussaint] applied for bail before the High Court. On the morning of [Wednesday, April] 22, 2026, the Crown Counsel attached to the Office of the DPP informs the investigator that Primus has been granted bail.”
Defreitas said that he will provide an update at a later date as “I am still looking into [the] circumstances leading to the bail.”
May 7 – St Omer submits missive to police; unwilling to move forward
On May 7, St Omer tendered a missive to Anse la Raye police “which in short indicated her unwillingness to continue or pursue the matters,” Defreitas said.
The 24-year-old met her demise almost two weeks later.
The general consensus was that the RSLPF had failed in its duties to protect Joy St Omer; the RSLPF, however, emphasized that they have been quite thorough in their investigations.
“I will not go into the circumstances of the 20th of May as new and emerging details continue,” the ACP said. These circumstances form part of the investigation presently being undertaken by the Major Crimes Unit, “and as such, it would not be prudent at this time to go into the events of May 20th,” he added.
Additionally, on Thursday morning, “I did receive a copy of the recognizance to appear that was signed by Toussaint at the High Court and on that recognizance, it does indicate that the sitting judge did review the conditions under which bail was denied. Upon submissions by both prosecution and defense, Counsel decided to grant bail to Toussaint,” Defreitas informed.
The bail conditions included, but were not limited to the fact that he was not supposed to go within 100 meters of St. Omer and “he seemed to have agreed to move to Canaries, where he also shared a residence with other relatives,” according to the ACP.
“Of course, his travel documents were to be surrendered to the state, he ought not to have applied for other travel documents or attempt to leave the state without informing proper authorities,” he added.
“That forms a timeline on events with Miss Joy St Omer… and I hope that in some part lays to rest some of the concerns and queries that the general public have had over this incident,” the ACP concluded.