Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams has confirmed that Jasmine Hartin Ashcroft, a San Pedro Ambergris Caye resident and daughter-in-law of Tory peer Lord Michael Ashcroft, is detained pending the investigation into the shooting death of Superintendent of Police Henry Jemmott shortly after midnight Friday morning
In a televised press conference, COMPOL Williams stated that his information is that Jemmott and Ashcroft were socializing on a pier outside of COVID19 curfew hours when he was shot dead. His body was retrieved from the waters right next to the pier. The incident occurred on a beach near Mata Rocks Resort, a stone’s throw away from the Marriot Autograph Collection Alaia Belize Resort owned by Andrew Ashcroft son of billionaire investor Michael Ashcroft. The newly opened luxury resort is listed as a Belize Gold Standard Hotel.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “We have Mrs. Jasmine Ashcroft in custody and she is being investigated in respect to the shooting death of Mr. Jemmott.From what we know they are friends. From what we have been made to understand they were drinking. From investigation they were alone on the pier and yes they were both fully clothed. We have to look at the investigation with an open mind, but so far we have not had any indication to suggest that there was any third actor. From what I gathered, from a statement I read, the first person who arrived on the scene after the incident occurred said that she was somewhat in a emotional state walking herself on the pier. We believe that she is to some extent affected by it. When she was detained last night she was not cooperating. She stated that she needed to have her attorney present in order for her to say what she needs to say and it a part of her rights by virtue of the constitution, but again, that raises some red flag. The situation is such that it does requires an explanation from her. In the absence of an explanation then she would have to be treated as the killer and we will proceed accordingly. If we get an explanation from her we might then be forced to send the matter to the Dire tor of Public Prosecutions for her decision on it, so we will see how we go from there.”
“It has been confirmed that the woman detained pending investigation into the death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott. She is Canadian national. Jasmine Ashcroft nee Hartin. Jasmine, daughter-in-law of Lord Michael Ashcroft, is reportedly not cooperating with police and has requested the presence of her attorney before speaking,” according to a local television report. Police are currently treating the matter as a death investigation. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has assigned his most senior and seasoned Investigator, he is Superintendent of Police Alejandro Cowo , Superintendent Cowo will be assisted by Inspector Cawich , Superintendent Alejandro Cowo is the Head of CIB . Chief Forensic Pathologist Dr. Mario Estradabran has been tasked to conduct the postmortem.
Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) Chester Williams has indicated that Jemmott was killed with his own service weapon but it is being investigated whether he was shot at or if the fatal shot was self inflicted. It has been learnt that Superintendent Jemmott had “personal issues” and had requested time off. Jemmott was previously Officer Commanding at Ambergris Caye, but had been moved to the mainland after the March 2021 municipal elections. He is the father of five children. High-profile Ashcroft Alliance defence attorney Godfrey Smith has flown into the island to represent Mrs. Hartin-Ashcroft. Smith is former Tourism Minister and Attorney General of Belize. Just under 98% of homicides go unsolved in Belize and this is compounded by a 3% murder conviction rate. Underpaid, understaffed and inexperienced government prosecutors are no match for high-flying defence attorneys.
Notably, the Ashcroft Alliance has started a narrative making it known that Andrew Ashcroft and Jasmine are not married. Her name is Jasmine Hartin. That is indeed the case, but the Marriott website stated, “….along with her husband Andrew Ashcroft Jasmin has played an integral role in shaping the vision for Alaia Belize from the very beginning.” She is the mother of his two children. In Belize like many other countries, common law relationships are treated like formal marriage unions in society and in the judicial system. Local media in Belize describe her as: “Hartin lives in Belize with her husband, Andrew Ashcroft, the youngest son of Lord Ashcroft, a top donor to the U.K.’s Conservative Party who once served as Belize’s ambassador to the United Nations and has extensive business holdings in the country including the Belize Bank and the Port of Belize.”
Jasmine Hartin Ashcroft was previously employed at SANCAS Realty a Belize real estate company, before taking over as Director of Lifestyle & Experience at Alaia Belize Resort. Her profile page on the resort’s Our Team website states: “Along with her husband, Andrew Ashcroft, Jasmine has played an integral role in shaping the vision for Alaia Belize from the very beginning. Her passion for Belize and her appreciation for the local nature and culture have been guiding forces as she has collaborated with the entire development team on every aspect of the experience, from the master plan and amenity curation to interiors and social programming.”
Late Friday, the Belize Police Department issued the following press release: “It is with profound sadness and sympathy that the Commissioner of Police, Chester C.Williams, Deputy Commissioners, Edward Broaster, and Dezerie Phillips Magdaleno, the senior ranks and file of the Belize Police Department announce the untimely passing of our dearest brother Henry Jemmott, Superintendent of Police. May his family, loved ones, colleagues, and friends find solace in the arms of God. You have left us suddenly, King, but your dedication to the Government of Belize, the Belize Police Department, and the people of Belize will never be forgotten…sleep on OFFICER for we will all meet again one day. Henry Jemmott, Superintendent of Police. SUNRISE: February 6th,1979 SUNSET: May 28th,2021 REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY, KING!”
His sister Marie Jemmott Tzul told the media on Friday night the initial post mortem results indicate Jemmott died of a massive brain haemorrhage due to gunshot wounds to the head. She stated that the doctor concluded it was a homicide.
From their FB announcement: Announcing Belize’s newest Real Estate Offering in beautiful Ambergris Caye – The Alaia Beach Club! This “Adults-Only” vacation hub will comprise of 121 studio units and 1 Penthouse Suite. Studio pricing starts at U.S.$199,000. Construction scheduled Start – October 1st, 2021 Grand Opening: December 2023.
A Massage Gone Wrong?
Jasmine Hartin is expected to be charged Monday in San Pedro Magistrate’s court according to Belize Police sources. It has been suggested that she will be charged for manslaughter in what she has characterized as the accidental shooting of Superintendent Henry Jemmott.
Reliable sources say she describes giving the Superintendent a midnight back massage on the Mata Rocks pier when he asked her to hand him his service Glock pistol. In handing it to him, her account is that it accidentally went off and shot him in the back of the head.
Information Sunday night is that the investigation file examining the shooting death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott has been passed on to the Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal. She will determine what charge will be brought against Jasmine Hartin. Reports say Hartin has told police in a statement that it was an accidental shooting. The 32-year-old Canadian mother of two is expected to be represented by senior counsel Godfrey Smith, but he is thought to be only a local stand in for her actual lawyer who is expected to be a British Queens Counsel.
This a breaking news story and will be updated by our reporters on the ground in Belize as it develops.