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I saw where there was suspected arson and murder of a St John resident.
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Homicide, Arson Suspected After Early Morning Fire
by Lynda Lohr
Oct. 29, 2005 – Police and Fire Service departments are investigating a suspected homicide and arson early Saturday that left a St. John man dead and his son seriously injured.
Police have not yet released the man's name, but numerous friends around St. John said he was David Geiger. His son is Nathan Geiger, an 8th grade student at the St. John School on Gifft Hill.
Police Sgt. Thomas Hannah said firefighters found a male in the bedroom with his body burned beyond recognition.
"His arm was raised in a defensive manner. This led us to believe something criminal in nature might have happened," he said.
He said that police have not identified any suspects so far.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Chapman said that neighbors who lived in a downstairs apartment kicked the door in when they discovered the upstairs apartment on fire.
He said they were able to get Geiger's son out and then tried to put out the fire.
Hannah described Nathan Geiger's injuries as multiple lacerations.
The Geigers lived in a three-story building in Grunwald owned by Geiger.
Geiger was a housepainter who was active in the sailing community. He often won in his class at the annual Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta aboard his Bristol 27 named Willful.
"He was just a sweet guy to have in the boating community," St. John boater Denise Wright said.
Geiger was free with his praise for other sailors. He told this reporter after the 2002 regatta how impressed with he was with another sailor's boat and crew.
"Your boat always amazes me," Geiger said of Dan Davis' Frodo.
Geiger was also a runner and swimmer who often participated in St. John events. His relay team placed second in September's Love City Triathlon.
Jude Woodcock, who is also active in the island's running community, said she tried to convince Geiger to join the running group called the St. John Landsharks.
"He told me he was 'not the kind of guy to join things,'" she said.
She said she often ran into Geiger at Baked in the Sun bakery, where he'd give her a kiss and a hug.
"He made my day," she said.
Wright said she was at a loss to understand why this happened to Geiger.
"I can only think that it was a random act," she said.
As news of the suspected murder and arson circulated around St. John, stunned residents expressed their shock.
The island has not experienced any homicides since 1999 when Keshaun Daly, 14, of St. Thomas died after being shot in the face at the July 4th Celebration village.
In 1997, three men were arrested in connection with the murder of Santo Elloy Villar at Cap's Place, a Cruz Bay bar. That same year, Gordon "Nevo" Doway stabbed his female companion, Marceline V. Corporan, to death before setting their house on fire. He died in the fire.
In 1995, Ralph Foy's body was found wrapped in plastic over the edge of the Brown Bay overlook. No one was arrested in that case.
In 1993, Daniel Ezekiel died of gunshot wounds during a burglary at a Susannaberg home. That same year, the body of Peter Smith, whose real name was Patrick McGeary, was found dressed in women's clothes behind Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant.
Albert Willis called the latest incident sad.
"It's terrible when it happens anywhere. We're not immune to it," he said.
Lorelei Monsanto said she hopes that this incident doesn't exacerbate the racial tensions that currently exist on St. John as a result of the alleged rape of Esther Frett, a black woman.
The Geigers are white.
Hannah stressed that "all indications are that this is an isolated situation."
Monsanto called on the St. John community to unite rather than further divide in the wake of this recent incident.
"We have always been a family unit," she said.
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This is nothing short of a cowardly act. I hope some agency will step in a provide protection for good people who live there.
Funny. What cowardly act did you see happen in that article? There is a follow up that the doors erelocked on the inside. Seems like the Father and Son were arguing.
Don't know why you feel it's necessary to write these things.
RL
http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1105690208
*still ignoring the troll*
RonUSVI - today's report indicates that it was domestic dispute.
Hope this didn't burst anyone's bubble.
I sincerely doubt that it was 'domestic'. Why was the screen torn?
The father and son were both beaten bloody and would have both died. I suppose they started the fire when they were lying on the floor. There are lots of things that don't make sense. I wouldn't put it past our respectable police force to botch this one, too. HAs there been any progress or prosecution on the fires a few months ago? One thing I know, the police force SUCKS. Anyone want to dispute that?
I have also heard from friends on island that the son also was beaten quite badly and has a fractured skull and cranial swelling.
I honestly don't think he did it to himself and than had the presence of mind to start a fire.
The police spokesman Hannah has modified his initial statement regarding the nature of this incident: http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1105690315
...sorry for the "troll" comments.
Hannah has no idea what is going on. People have a right to ask questions and have disbelief in the people that supposedly protect them. For him to make quick suggestions that are false and then wonder why people jump to conclusions is really ironic. This is just another example why the police force is beyond pathetic. People might as well try to investigate themselves because this police force isn't able to do anything right other than harrass state siders. The feds should come in and fire all their asses.
I think Hannah was dancing around the issue at hand and is a moron and can't make a statement to satisfy curious people. I am now understanding that is is a'domestic'issue but the son was not the one involved but two others and I have heard a rumor that they were in custody.
RL
Ronnie, with all due respect, I have heard the same thing. HOWEVER, that does not make it a domestic issue.
I'm looking for more information on this crime. I haven't read a word about the whereabouts of the mother. Are there people in custody or not? Is it alleged that there were other family members that were involved? Were drugs involved? I know that rumors and speculation are not helpful but the newspaper reports are vague and incomplete IMO.
What I can't believe about this case is that it hasn't been picked up stateside at all... I only learned of it when talking to several St. John winter residents who I know on Martha's Vineyard, my previous home. It was brought up when I mentioned that I would be seeing them again for a few weeks in January...We all thought the lack of coverage reeked of the mayors fear of tourism disaster in Jaws... Upon further calls/discussions also heard about some kind of "sit in" at the Quiet Mon... No news stateside.
Jason
Call Greta and Nancy, they'll have it running for months on cable.
I think the truth of the matter is that this might be an interesting case for those of use who either visit or might live on St John.
I'm sure that the stateside news doesn't run every arson/murder that occurs out here in Los Angeles.
Suspects were ID'd today by police and were said to have fled the island
From today's AVIS: "On Monday police issued warrants for two men, Renell Lettsome, 21 and Tullius Stewart, 29, believed to be responsible for the recent murder of David Geiger on St John. Both are St John residents. 'Robbery was the motive,' said Police Commissioner Elton Lewis ast a press conference. He did not give any more details of the case. Police said the suspects are currently at large and are considered armed and dangerous. 'They left island or are in hiding, we're going to flush them out', said Lewis. Lewis also said there are four other persons of interest wanted in connection to the crime. He said he hopes to secure warrants for them soon.
As a resident of Connecticut and a very frequent STJ visitor, I saw in our local paper an obituary for David. He has relatives living in Westbrook and also had lived there. There was mention in the obit of his murder and the condition of his son. There is going to be a local memorial service for him. I also was surprised that the local papers had not picked this up sooner.
