- Melissa Kerry Samnath, 35, died from blunt force trauma to the head in Jamaica on her birthday.
- Her last message to family urged them to call police before her tragic hospital visit.
- Dane Watson, believed to be her husband, is named a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
ST. JAMES, JAMAICA — A New York woman’s birthday trip to Jamaica ended in tragedy after she was taken to a hospital with fatal head injuries, shortly after allegedly sending a desperate message to her family asking them to call police. The case comes months after another Jamaica-bound tragedy, where a father and daughter died in a Florida plane crash while delivering hurricane relief to Jamaica.
Melissa Kerry Samnath, 35, died at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James on April 29, the same day she was celebrating her birthday. Jamaican authorities said a post-mortem examination later determined she died from multiple blunt force trauma to the head.
Police have named Dane Watson, believed to be Samnath’s husband, as a person of interest in the murder investigation.
Final Message to Family
According to reports, Samnath had arrived in Jamaica from New York to celebrate her birthday.
Shortly before 11 p.m. on the night she arrived, she allegedly sent relatives a chilling message asking them to call police and check her location. Reports said the message referenced a pink house.
It was the last message her family received from her before her death.
Taken to Hospital in St. James
Investigators said Samnath was taken to Cornwall Regional Hospital by Watson. He reportedly left shortly after assisting her from a vehicle, and hospital staff later contacted police after she was pronounced dead.
Authorities said evidence connected to the investigation was recovered from a premises in Norwood, St. James.
Local reports said detectives found blood and some of Samnath’s belongings at the property.
Husband Named Person of Interest
Jamaican police said Watson is a person of interest and urged him to report to the Freeport Police Station in St. James or the nearest police station.
Authorities also asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact police.
As of the latest reports, police were still searching for Watson.
Family Mourns New York Woman
Samnath’s family described her as loving, warm, and unforgettable.
A GoFundMe created by relatives said she loved traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with the people she cared about most. Her family said the loss has left them with pain that words cannot fully express.
Relatives said funds raised would help cover funeral and memorial expenses, with remaining support going toward organizations that assist domestic violence victims in Samnath’s memory.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
To watch more cases about vacations that turned deadly, check out our video here:
