A Queens woman was tragically killed while celebrating her birthday in Jamaica after sending a desperate message to her family. According to the NY Post, Melissa Kerry Samnath lost her life due to blunt force head injuries at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James, Jamaica, on April 29, the very day she turned 35. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has since announced a formal manhunt for her husband, Dane Watson, who has been identified as a person of interest.
New York resident Samnath had arrived on the Caribbean island earlier that day for her birthday vacation. Hours before her death, she reached out to her family via WhatsApp. Her final message was a terrifying plea for help. She wrote, “I need you to call the cops,” followed by, “Look at my location. It is a pink house.”
Shortly after this message was sent, Watson allegedly dropped her off at the hospital in a wheelchair and fled the scene. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think she was left there alone in such a critical condition, as reports indicate her assailant didn’t even have the decency to take her inside the facility himself.
If that assailant really is her husband, this will be so much more heartbreaking
The family learned of the horrific news through an unexpected phone call. As noted by The Sun, the mother of the alleged murderer contacted the family to tell them what happened. The victim’s niece, Janice Wynter, shared the details, stating, “His mother called to tell us she got a phone call from him saying he killed her and dropped her off in a wheelchair at the hospital.” Wynter added, “He didn’t even have the audacity to take her into the hospital.”
Investigators eventually traced the location mentioned in Samnath’s message to a home in the Norwood neighborhood of St. James Parish, near Montego Bay. When authorities arrived at the house, they found disturbing evidence, including pools of blood and several of Samnath’s personal belongings. Neighbors in the quiet community were left in shock by the brutality of the act.
One local resident told the media, “There was a whole heap of blood in his house in Norwood. Him beat her badly, man. Beat her in her head.” Despite the amount of blood discovered at the scene, neighbors reported that they did not hear any sounds of a struggle or screaming, leading some investigators to believe that Samnath might have been gagged during the attack.
Samnath and Watson reportedly met online before she traveled to Jamaica to meet him. They were believed to have been married back in December 2025. Surveillance footage captured the pair walking from an Airbnb to Watson’s residence earlier that day, with Watson seen carrying her suitcase. The family is now struggling to process the loss.
Liza Samnath, the victim’s sister, spoke about their close bond, noting, “She was my best friend. That’s my baby sister. She had an outgoing personality.” Wynter also reflected on her aunt’s character, explaining, “My aunt was very helpful and family-oriented. When my grandfather died – her father – she was the one taking care of my other aunt and grandma.”
As the search for Watson continues, the family has been forced to navigate the difficult process of bringing her body back to the United States. A GoFundMe page was established to help cover funeral expenses and to support domestic violence organizations in her name.
The page describes her as “a strong, loving, and unforgettable woman whose warmth touched everyone around her.” The family also shared, “She loved traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with the people she cared for most. Her loss has left a deep pain in our family that words cannot fully express.”
The family is understandably worried about the fact that the suspect remains at large. Wynter issued a public warning regarding the situation, stating, “There is a murderer on the run, and he is clearly in an area with a lot of tourists. He is dangerous. Women need to be careful because you don’t know what he is capable of.”
You usually expect to just find annoying messages on WhatsApp, or even crazy people on group chats. I don’t think anyone ever expects to receive a message that would make their heart drop. Unfortunately, for Samnath, help couldn’t get to her in time.
For now, the police investigation remains active as they look for breakthroughs in the case. Hopefully, finding Watson will be as easy as it was to catch Jameicia Moore, because he will just turn up by himself.
Published: May 15, 2026 10:36 am