ST. CATHERINE:

Detectives in St. Catherine are baffled about the recent increase of murders involving young women as the victims in the parish.

About 10.30 a.m. last Friday, a farmer tending to his cattle near Mendez's District came upon the gruesome discovery of the mutilated body of a woman.

Upon arrival, the police found a body with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds all over it. However, no one has turned up to identify the body.

This follows closely on the discovery of 21-year-old Julian Pryce's body near the Aviary housing scheme, Old Harbour.

Reports are that the mother of a 21-month-old child, left her place of employment, Island Grill, May Pen, about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and was not seen until family, friends and co-workers realised their worst fears.

Senior detectives from the St. Catherine north division told Across the Nation that a thorough investigation will be conducted in an attempt to determine the reasons behind the increasing trend of violence towards women.

Across the Nation has also learned that the Old Harbour community has featured in several incidents of rape over a short period of time.

In the latest incident, three women were attacked.

- Rasbert Turner