PHILIPSBURG--The investigation into the violent death of Tiffany Reid (13) on September 6, 2011, has been concluded, according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office.
The results of the investigation have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspect who was arrested in this case, the girl's father Robert Emanuel Reid, was responsible for her violent death and the disposal of her body, the release stated.
Police were informed on September 6, 2011, that a body had been found in the vicinity of Reward Road around 8:20pm. A witness at the scene of the crime informed the police he had heard a loud explosion and had seen large flames coming out of the bushes nearby. When he went closer to take a look, he saw a man getting into a white van. The witness memorised the licence plate of the vehicle and immediately called the police.
It was discovered soon that this van belonged to Robert Reid. When Reid came to the police station later that evening to report his daughter Tiffany missing, the police noticed he had several fresh burn wounds. Around that same time the Forensic Department was able to retrieve the body from the ravine in which it had been thrown.
A preliminary examination of the body showed that it appeared to be that of a young woman. Based on this information, the Prosecutor ordered Robert Reid's immediate arrest.
Even though Reid denied any involvement in his daughter's death, the results of the investigation prove that he gave false statements about his whereabouts that evening and about the way he received his burns. Reid stated he had been burned while fixing the radiator of his van. According to his statement, the radiator hose had burst while he was under the van and was burned by the hot radiator fluid.
An expert mechanic from a local car dealer that carries Reid's brand of van was asked to report on the condition of the van's radiator. His conclusion was that the radiator or radiator hose had not burst and the radiator had not exploded.
A medical expert was asked to examine Reid's wounds. The expert concluded that the wounds were not consistent with hot-water burns. St. Maarten police forensic experts cut the suspect's eyelashes, as they showed signs of melting. A Netherlands Forensic Institute expert concluded that this type of melting could not be caused by hot water or steam, as the temperature is not high enough to cause hair to melt. However, such melting does occur when in contact with open fire.
Apart from his van and licence plate, forensic evidence also puts Reid on the scene of the crime. A partially melted grown man's flip-flop was found next to the burnt body of his daughter. Forensics has shown this flip-flop contained Reid's DNA and no one else's.
Several witnesses had noticed that Reid was wearing two different flip-flops when he was taken to the hospital that night. After exiting the hospital, he had disposed of his flip-flops and walked barefoot.
The police investigation has shown further that Tiffany was last seen in her father's presence. He was seen leaving his home with her in his van somewhere between 5:00 and 5:30pm. Seized camera footage shows his white van after leaving the crime scene at 7:45pm. Reid's and Tiffany's whereabouts between 5:30 and 7:45pm are unaccounted for.
The autopsy on Tiffany's body showed that she had died of suffocation. The results suggest she was strangled. It has been concluded that Tiffany was dead before her body was disposed of. The body had been wrapped in large plastic bags and set on fire. Similar large plastic garbage bags were found during a search of Reid's home. No signs of sexual abuse or pregnancy were found during the autopsy. Early speculations on the motive had mentioned this.
Based on all these findings, the Prosecutor's Office concludes that it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Robert Reid killed his daughter Tiffany Reid and disposed of her body by setting it on fire. No indications were found during the investigation that Reid had been assisted by anyone or that anyone else could be held responsible for these crimes.
Robert Reid died in the Pointe Blanche prison on October 25, 2011. It is believed he committed suicide. The circumstances under which he died are still under investigation by the National Detectives.
As the prosecution of this case came to an end with the Reid's death and therefore a judge will not be able to rule on his involvement in this crime, the Prosecutor's Office considers it appropriate to inform the general public of the investigative results by this extensive press release.
The Prosecutor's Office commended the Police Force of St. Maarten and the Forensic Team for their outstanding work in the investigation into this crime. It also commended the witnesses who came forward immediately and gave very valuable information. Without their information it would have been far more difficult to solve this crime. This once again shows the importance of the public's cooperation in solving crime.
