UPDATE September 27, 2012 - ABC News and the Associated Press report that a judge has ordered the detainment of Meyshane Johnson as a suspect in the killings. Johnson made his first court appearance Wednesday, where the judge ruled there was enough evidence to detain Johnson for at least 10 more days pending further investigation. The original story appears below.
Emil Lee, president of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association issued a statement over the weekend in response to the gruesome murder of an American couple vacationing at the Ocean Club Resort in Cupe Coy.
"The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association is outraged at the attack and murder of two Americans on St. Maarten," says Lee. "We join the people of St. Maarten in expressing our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this couple and support the efforts that have been placed by the police in quickly working to bring the culprits to justice. St Maarten is a small, diverse and close knit community. This tragedy pains everyone in the community deeply."
According to SMN News, the bodies were found by a well known restaurateur from Simpson Bay. It is not yet clear what type of relationship the businessman had with the victims and how long they were on the island.
The victims have been identified as Micheal and Thelma King of South Carolina who are also part-time residents of St. Maarten since they owned several homes on the island.
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