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Brit Windrush migrant murdered in Jamaica worked tirelessly to support family for decades before being slaughtered months after dream retirement

DEATH IN PARADISE -The bodies of Charlie and Gayle Anderson were found near their Kingston home shortly after the pair retired to the Caribbean island

FRIENDS and family today described how a Brit migrant murdered alongside his wife spent his life working tirelessly towards his dream retirement – only to be slaughtered months after resettling in Jamaica.

The “burned” bodies of Charlie and Gayle Anderson were found on Friday afternoon near their Kingston home shortly after the pair retired to the Caribbean island to begin “the next chapter of their lives”.

Local reports said Gayle, 71, was found in bushes with her hands and feet bound while her husband, 74, of 50 years was discovered shot and burned near a local school.

Another report claimed the pair had had their throats slashed, although police have not yet revealed how they died.

Former neighbour Kishore Singh, 51, today told The Sun Online: “He came over in the 50s and they lived in the house next door for 30 years.

“I know he arrived at the time of the Windrush generation but he never made any specific reference to it.

“But he was definitely proud of his roots and was looking forward to his retirement in Jamaica.

He’d tell me how hard it was for black people at the time. He used to go round with his wooden bucket and look around for jobs.

“But he never let if affect him and he was one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met in my life. The best way to describe him is as a father figure. He helped me to do up my home.

“He never took a penny. The only thing he would ask for is my wife to make him a cappuccino.”

Kishore described the couple as “the epitome of what a true family setup was” after having supported one another and their kids for more than 55 years.

The couple were found murdered on Friday near their eight-bedroom home in Mount Pleasant, Jamaica, just weeks after they complained of being caught up in a £50k credit card fraud.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Throyville Haughton told The Sunday Gleaner Charlie was found near a local school.

He added: “Shortly after, the body of the elderly woman was found at a different location with burns to the body also.

“Both bodies had wounds to the neck and face. However, we are not yet able to say what might have caused those injuries.

“We are making every effort to bring closure to this heinous crime, and as such, we are getting assistance from our Area Headquarters and also from Technical Services from Kingston. Our detectives are still in the area carrying out investigations.”

Today the couple’s sons said in a statement: “Our parents Charlie and Gayle enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 55 years and leave behind their four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“They were hardworking people, building a business with integrity and making sure we were always provided for.

“Charlie and Gayle were pillars of the community in Manchester and Jamaica, and were hugely popular and loved by many.

“They were just beginning the next chapter of their lives, retiring to Jamaica before this terrible tragedy.

“We would like to thank our friends, family and community for their prayers and support. We are completely devastated and ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time.”

A police spokesman told The Sun that no arrests had been made but enquiries are continuing. One theory is that the murders are linked to the suspected credit card fraud against Gayle.

A conman was said to have recently made more than 40 fraudulent purchases – totalling £50,000 ($8million Jamaican dollars) – using her cards – which she reported to detectives in Jamaica.

As part of the investigation, Gayle returned to the UK three weeks ago to get documents from her bank before handing them to the police.

Cops are now searching for a man from the Mount Pleasant community who they believe can assist with their investigations. He reportedly fled the area more than a month ago.

Friend John Corrigan, who lives next to the couple’s former home in Gorton, Manchester, said: “It’s shocking what’s happened to them. They didn’t deserve that – they were a lovely couple who would do anything for you.

“The family are in pieces – Glen is particularly devastated as he lived with them for many years. Charles came over to Britain with just a satchel and made a life for himself.

“It was their dream to move back to Jamaica and have their own home there, They saved all their lives and Charles built his dream home with eight bedrooms.

“He would do anything for you and sorted lots of problems with my house for free.”

IMAGES:

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION The bodies of Charlie and Gayle Anderson were found near their Kingston home shortly after the pair retired to the Caribbean island to begin ‘the next chapter of their lives’
PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION Charlie met supermarket worker Gayle in the UK and the couple were married for more than 50 years
ALEXANDER MORRIS Pictured are the cordoned-off gates to the couple’s home in Jamaica

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