Officials at the Justice Department reported a preliminary step had been taken in the death investigation of a St. John resident, Jamie Cail, known to many on the island as the friendly cashier at a popular bookstore in the St. John Marketplace.
Cail, 42, was found unresponsive at her home in the early morning hours of Feb. 21. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Myrah Keating Smith Clinic after being taken there by friends in a private vehicle.
A few hours after her passing, a spokesman for the Virgin Islands Police Department said an investigation had begun into the cause of death. A press release issued by police on Feb. 21 said the woman was discovered unconscious in her home by a boyfriend shortly before being transported to the clinic.
On Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs confirmed that an autopsy had been performed on Cali by a medical examiner. Justice Department spokesperson Sandra Goomansingh issued a brief statement later in the day, saying nothing more was being disclosed at this point.
National and international news outlets ran stories about Cail’s death over the weekend, noting her athletic fame as a competitive swimmer, representing the United States in the late 1990s.
Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this case to contact 911, Criminal Investigation Bureau Detective J. Carty at 340-693-8880, ext. 5207, or Detective S. Rhymer at 340-774-2211, ext. 5572, or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
