Seven in custody after discovering body of missing Bullet Tree man in shallow grave

The seven men are classified as suspects at this time as they are yet to be charged in relation to the gruesome discovery in northern Old Harbour.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mark Harris informed Old Harbour News that the deceased has been “positively identified as Javon Miller,” a resident of Bullet Tree.

A missing person report for Miller was filed by relatives with the Old Harbour police after he was last seen on May 18, 2022 leaving his home in a white merino, short jeans and blue slippers.

"The now deceased was last seen alive at a candle light on Wednesday May 18, 2022 about 8:00 pm talking to a man who called him away after which he left in the company of the man," a report from the police stated. "He did not return home, hence a missing person report was made at the Old Harbour Police (Station) on Friday, May 20, 2022."

On Sunday, investigators were led to a forested area in the community following an intense investigation by detectives assigned to the Old Harbour CIB.

There a body was unearthed and identified by a sister of Miller who is well-known throughout the community and its environs as a domestic landscaper.

“The citizens and police conducted a search in the area and several 9mm casings were found in a wooded area in Bullet Tree,” said DSP Harris, commanding officer in charge of Old Harbour. “The body was positively identified by relatives to be that of Javon Miller, who was reported missing last week Wednesday in the Bullet Tree area.”

It was not until today, however, that scene of crime experts managed to fully exhume the body from the site from where it was taken to a morgue.

Five spent shells retrieved “50 feet away” from the grave site, suggests Miller was shot multiple times before his killers tried to conceal his death.

Among the suspects are two of Miller’s friends, Old Harbour News understands.

“At this time I can tell you that we have seven persons in custody based on information linked to the disappearance of the missing person, Javon Miller,” DSP Miller said. “They are been questioned by our detectives but not all of them are co-operating with the investigation.”

DSP Harris said detectives are confident of laying charges against the men involved in the murder of Miller, who they believed was killed over matters related to money.

“I can’t speak to that at this time,” DSP Harris responded when pressed to provide more details on the matter. “But we are confident in the evidence we have ascertained so far and believe very soon some people will be charged.”