Police follow strong leads in radiologist’s murder
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Police investigators say they are following “strong leads” in their investigation of the murder of renowned Mandeville radiologist Dr Phillip Chamberlain whose body was found with stab wounds about 9:00 pm Saturday.
The blood-soaked body of the 75-year-old Chamberlain was found in his Cobblestone Professional Centre offices on Brumalia Road but police say no motive has been firmly established. However, reports say the office was ransacked and a chest (strong box) missing.
Head of the Manchester Police, Supt Lascelles Taylor declined to give details, but he confirmed that solid progress was being made.
Head of the Police Area Three (Manchester, St Elizabeth and Clarendon) Assistant Commissioner of Police Derrick Cochrane gave the assurance yesterday that investigators were “working very hard to solve this heinous crime”.
“Nothing is off the table in terms of the investigation,” said Cochrane who offered condolences to Chamberlain’s family and friends.
A Jamaican who studied and worked in the United States for decades, Chamberlain was said to be the first to set up a private radiological office in Mandeville and the wider central Jamaica.
Yesterday, friends and associates of Chamberlain as well as leaders of the wider community here expressed shock and horror at his killing.
Radiographer David Lindo who was associated with Chamberlain for more than a decade, described him “as the last person you would expect something like this to happen to”.
“He was a wonderful man, a very kind man and he treated his staff well,” said Lindo. “This has taken all of us completely by surprise.”
President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce Wendy Freckleton condemned what she described as “the brutal murder of one who has committed his life to taking care of those in need of health care”. She urged those with information to come forward and assist the police.
The Chamber, she said, would continue to do its part in “partnership with the police” in improving safety in Manchester.
Custos of Manchester Sally Porteous, who expressed concern at the growing perception of a resurgence of violent crime in Manchester, said she was “absolutely shocked and horrified” at the murder of “one of Jamaica’s best”.
Chamberlain’s murder follows the shooting death of another medical practitioner, Dr Clinton Lewis, in late May. Last month, retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Exel Dias was stabbed to death in northern Manchester.
“We have to ask ourselves, ‘What is this all about’?” said Porteous. “People are scared and it’s dangerous … because it (violent crime) sends such a horrible signal,” she added.