Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The family of 27-year-old Diane Andrea Jackson, who has been missing since January 19, and is feared dead, says the police should focus more attention and resources on finding their missing relative.

"I don't believe they are doing enough to find her," said her mother, Jasmine Johnson. "I would have hoped that they would have tried a little harder."

But the search for her daughter has been called off.

"We have searched the entire circumference where we thought she might be, but to no avail. As a result, we have called the search off," Sergeant Sandra Salmon, Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) officer for the parish, told The Gleaner on Monday.

Called on cellphone

Jackson, a mother of four, has not been seen since she left her home in Santoy district, Hanover, to meet with a man.

He had reportedly called her cellular phone and introduced himself as a cellmate of her boyfriend while they were jailed at the Lucea Police Station lock-up.

The boyfriend is now an inmate at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Facility.

The suspect, who is now in police custody, has also been linked to the murder of 25-year-old Patrice Clarke of Windsor Castle in Portland.

The babysitter's body, which was seen with marks of violence, was found by police in Elgin Town, Hanover, last Monday

Clarke was reported missing on January 20 after she left for Hanover to meet with the suspect, whom she reportedly met through a mobile phone chat room.

Investigators are expected to charge him later this week with murder.

Lyns' bodies recovered

"Is because we a poor people why them not searching hard fi Jasmine pickney," one resident contends. "Look at the rich people a Mandeville - how they kill up themselves, all go inna garbage a search."

Robert and Julia Lyn, operators of Bargain House Furniture Store in Mandeville, reportedly went missing from their Battersea residence on December 10.

A reward of $1 million was also offered for information leading to their whereabouts. Subsequently, on December 29, the couple's remains were found at the Martin's Hill Dump in Manchester.

'Quality service'

But the criticisms levelled at the lawmen have been dismissed as being "absolute rubbish" by the force's communication consultant, Karl Angell.

"Each case is dealt with on its own merit. Our responsibility is to serve and that is what we will continue to give - quality service," he stated.