The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

FEARS are growing for the safety of Eleuthera entrepreneur Katrina Kelly, whose family suspects foul play after she disappeared last Tuesday night after reportedly leaving her Bluff home with three men.

Ms Kelly, an assistant manager at Pink Sands hotel, who also operates a car rental business, was last seen by her 11-year-old daughter between 9pm and 10pm getting into a vehicle outside their residence.

Her disappearance is particularly devastating for her family as last year her 23-year-old brother, Ashantio Clevorn Johnson, a Bahamas Department of Correctional Services trainee officer, was fatally stabbed at Blu Ice Restaurant and Bar. His birthday would have been last Wednesday.

Police released a missing-person poster for Ms Kelly on Friday.

Ms Kelly’s young daughter spoke to The Tribune with her family’s permission. She said her mom had said she was going to drop off friends and pick up food.

The girl said she later looked outside and saw three dark figures get out of a car and speak with her mother before Ms Kelly got into the vehicle with them and left.

She said she did not recognise the men and her mother did not say who had picked her up or who she planned to drop off.

Ms Kelly has not been heard from since.

Her relatives initially did not become alarmed because she had gone away for periods before, particularly around the anniversary of her brother’s death and birthday.

Loretta Cash-Pierre, Ms Kelly’s cousin, best friend and godsister, said Ms Kelly would sometimes isolate herself around such dates but normally told relatives how long she would be gone and reassured them that she was safe.

Mrs Pierre said this time was different.

She said Ms Kelly owned a car rental company and that a white Nissan Cube connected to the business was also missing.

Mrs Pierre claimed the people who arrived at Ms Kelly’s home on Tuesday night were in a white Nissan Cube they had allegedly rented from her and were returning.

She said Ms Kelly knew the people who rented that particular vehicle because it was her personal car and she only rented it to people she knew well.

Mrs Pierre said she has since provided police with information about the people who rented the vehicle.

The family suspects foul play and fears Ms Kelly may be being held against her will.

“I’m afraid right now,” Mrs Pierre said. “Eleuthera is supposed to be a safe place where you let your hair down. These kind of things don’t happen in Eleuthera.”

She said relatives began to realise something was wrong on Wednesday when Ms Kelly failed to collect her mother from the airport after she returned from the United States.

Mrs Pierre said her own concern deepened on Thursday when Ms Kelly had still not responded to a message she sent on Tuesday.

That same day, other relatives and friends, including Ms Kelly’s 18-year-old daughter, began contacting her because they also had not heard from her.

Mrs Pierre said police have been helpful and that she handed over Ms Kelly’s electronic devices to investigators.

She also claimed that about two weeks before the disappearance, Ms Kelly posted a status referring to problems with people failing to pay for a rental.

Mrs Pierre said the disappearance has devastated Ms Kelly’s parents, who are still grieving the death of their son last year.

She said Ms Kelly’s father “can’t take it” and is struggling with his daughter’s disappearance so soon after losing his son.

Mrs Pierre said Ms Kelly’s mother was also overwhelmed and asked her to handle calls relating to the missing-person search.

Ms Kelly’s 11-year-old daughter said the past several days have been stressful.

Although her mother had stayed away for days at a time before, she said Ms Kelly would usually contact family or friends.

Mrs Pierre said Ms Kelly was in good health before her disappearance.

Despite the family’s growing fears, she said relatives are holding on to hope that Ms Kelly will be found alive.