Escaped murder suspect disappears into the Pacific Ocean [1]
Monday, October 3, 2016 - 17:13. Updated on Monday, October 3, 2016 - 17:19.
American Dean Jay Fletcher, a murder suspect, has disappeared into the blue yonder of the South Pacific after escaping custody from a police station in Neiafu, Vava'u and evading a police pursuit at sea on Thursday, September 29.
The 54-year-old U.S citizen was last seen sailing away from Vava'u.
A police spokesperson said today there were no new updates apart from what was released on Friday, September 30. Aerial searches were carried out assisted by HMAF Tonga Navy and vessels in the area were notified of the yacht but nothing was found nor sighted to date.
Fletcher is charged with murder following the death of his Candian wife in Vava'u on July 7, while they were on their yacht anchored in Neiafu.
The Crown alleged he had beaten his wife to death. Police in Neiafu were holding him in custody for arraignment in court on 10 October.
He escaped at approximately 3.30am, and used his own yacht. Five officers on a small police search and rescue vessel located him on his yacht at 6:00am, approximately 6-10 miles NW of Vava'u, but were unable to apprehend him when he threatened to burn their boat. The Police boat abandoned the pursuit at the end of the day at 4:30pm.
Police Investigation was ordered to be carried out to determine the circumstances of the escape.
No information has been forthcoming since Friday.
Do you know Dean Jay Fletcher? Have you seen the SEA OAK? Please contact matangi [at] matangitonga [dot] to with any information.