Trinidad: Barbados Forensic Evidence Leads to Arrest in 2021 Murder of Artist

Jody Cruickshank, 40, of Maraj Trace—also known as the “Santa Cruz man”—was formally charged after forensic evidence linked him to the case and appeared before the Port of Spain Magistrate on February 1, 2022.

4th of February 2022

Trinidad and Tobago: A local dance hall artiste, “Brad Bailey” was shot to death on March 31, 2021 in a track between Backford street and Bass Street in Trinidad and Tobago. Forensic specialists from Barbados Forensic collected samples from the scene, uncovering critical evidence such as fingerprints and other trace materials that enabled police to identify the culprit.

Following investigation and forensic evidence, 40-year-old Jody Cruickshank of Maraj Trace, also known as “Santa Cruz man,” was charged and brought before the Port of Spain Magistrate on February 1, 2022. According to Barbados Forensic, the fingerprints and forensic materials recovered from the site conclusively matched Cruickshank, placing him at the scene of the crime.

Speaking on the case, the Director of Barbados Forensic, Ricardo Broomes added, “The evidence recovered was processed using advanced forensic techniques, which provided clear and irrefutable links between the suspect and the crime scene.”

Santa Cruz Man was also charged with possession of firearm, possession of ammunition, possession firearm to endanger life and possession of ammunition to endanger life, following advice received from Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard SC, on Monday 31st January, 2022.

Bailey, 18, of Cantaro Village, Santa Cruz, was found with gunshot wounds about his body at Blackford Street, Santa Cruz, around 10:55 am, on Wednesday 31st March, 2021.
The accused was arrested by officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force, in the Santa Cruz district, on Thursday 27th January, 2022.
Investigations were supervised by ASP Douglas, Insps. John and Ramjag and W/Insp. Sylvester, of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI), Region Two, while Cruickshank was charged by PC Emmanuel, also of HBI Region Two, on Monday 31st January, 2022.

Barbados Forensic provided details about the murder and said that the individual is directly involved in the murder. Now, the investigation on the matter has further started into the matter.