Post-mortem, DNA reports still outstanding in ‘Slickianna’ murder case

Rushawn Patterson, the man charged with the October 2022 murder of social media influencer Aneika 'Slickianna' Townsend, is to return to the St James Circuit Court on October 18, as post-mortem and DNA reports have still not been submitted.

Patterson, who is represented by attorney Dionne Meyler, got an extension of his bail when he appeared in court today.

He was granted bail on humanitarian grounds during a previous court sitting on July 16, as he is said to suffer from haemophilia, a blood disorder.

When the matter was mentioned today before presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison, the court was told that the prosecution is still awaiting the post-mortem report and the DNA report for its case file to be completed.

Patterson was arrested on November 2, 2022 during a high-level police operation, after Townsend's body was found floating in the sea in Reading, St James, on October 21 that year.

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A post-mortem examination on November 5 determined that Townsend was strangled, with death occurring some time between 11 p.m. on Thursday, October 20 and 9 a.m. on Friday, October 21.

Patterson was formally charged with her murder on November 11.

According to police reports, Townsend had travelled from Kingston to Montego Bay on October 20, 2022 and was later picked up by Patterson, following which they visited a restaurant in Hanover and a guest house in St James.

Some time during the night, an argument developed between the two, following which Townsend was strangled and her body disposed of.

- Christopher Thomas