Dexter Pottinger, a Jamaican Gay Activist and Fashion Designer, was found dead on Thursday at his home in the Washington Gardens neighborhood of Kingston.
Homosexuality is taboo on the small Caribbean country and men are often killed at the mere suspicion of being gay. Homophobia goes unchecked in Jamaica, says reports. Openly gay men suffer from housing and employment discrimination, as well as sexual and physical violence. Perpetrators of anti-gay violence are rarely criminally punished as the hatred for the LGBT community is deep-rooted in the island’s culture.
Pottinger’s decomposing body was discovered at his home on Thursday, August 31 when a relative went to visit him after becoming concerned about being unable to make contact with him for several days.
A woman told The Jamaican Gleaner that a neighbor heard cries for “help” and “murder” before she saw someone placing items in a car and driving away from the house. Neighbors reportedly heard screams from Pottinger home the night he was murdered, but did not call police.
Pottinger was stabbed to death.
There was blood “everywhere”, according to police officers quoted by the Jamaica Gleaner.
Police confirmed they have a suspect in custody.
R.I.P. Dexter Pottinger.