Darien Man At Center Of International Manslaughter Case

DARIEN, CT — Gavin Scott Hapgood, a 44-year-old Darien resident, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a Dominican man in Anguilla while Hapgood and his family were on vacation last week in the eastern Caribbean country, according to the Royal Anguilla Police Force.

Hapgood is accused of killing Kenny Mitchel, a 27-year-old employee at the hotel where Hapgood and his family were staying, on the afternoon of April 13. Hapgood was arrested three days later on April 16, and his first bail request was denied. He was later granted bail of $200,000 in East Caribbean currency (which converts to about $74,000 in United States dollars).

The circumstances of Mitchel's death have not been disclosed, but The Anguillian newspaper writes that an autopsy revealed that Mitchel died of asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head and other parts of his upper body.

Hapgood, who the Darien Times writes is a financial analyst for UBS, has reportedly left the island, according to Dominica News Online.

In recent days, the case has been a flashpoint of anger and controversy on social media, prompting a rebuke by authorities in an attempt to calm the situation.

"The Royal Anguilla Police Force acknowledge the fact that people want information in respect of the recent arrest and charging of a US tourist, however, like all investigation these are not conducted on social media," wrote Randy Dick, the public information officer for the Royal Anguilla Police Force on Facebook. "These matters are now before the court and are sub judicial.The comments being made on the RAPF facebook have no foundation in fact and are likely to incite racial hatred and can prejudice a jury especially since they will be chosen from among the community of Anguilla.

"Further The RAPF would like to inform the general public that they in no way are associated with or condone any racial or prejudicial statements or innuendos being circulated on social media as a result of the said incident and ask that person stop posting such material on the RAPF Facebook Page."