Husband sought after woman found dead on birthday trip to Jamaica

Multiple blunt force trauma to the head killed a 35-year-old New York woman who had traveled to Jamaica for her birthday, according to authorities now searching for her husband. Melissa Kerry Samnath, originally from Jamaica, was pronounced dead on 29 April after being taken to Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed. A post-mortem examination on 6 May established the cause of death.

Police said Samnath had come to Jamaica to celebrate her birthday with Dane Watson, whom investigators believe she married in December 2025. Watson brought Samnath to the hospital but left shortly after helping her from a vehicle, the JCF stated. Hospital staff later contacted police.

Evidence linked to the case was recovered from a property in Norwood, St James. The JCF has named Watson a person of interest and urged him to report immediately to the Freeport Police Station or the nearest station. “Anyone with information that can assist investigators in locating him is being asked to contact the Freeport Police,” the force added.

A GoFundMe page launched by relatives to cover funeral and memorial costs described Samnath as a “strong, loving, and unforgettable woman.” The page said: “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 investigation remains ongoing.