Man Found Deceased Along Protestant Cay Shoreline as VIPD Marine Unit Investigates

ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department is investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered along the shoreline of Protestant Cay early Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

Police said the incident was reported shortly before 8 a.m. on January 27, when the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call from an employee of Hotel on the Cay Beach. The caller reported seeing what appeared to be a deceased individual floating in the water near the hotel’s pump room.

Officers from the VIPD Marine Unit were dispatched to the scene and, upon arrival, observed an unresponsive male lying face down in the water along the shoreline of Protestant Cay. Officers immediately assessed the individual for signs of life.

The man was pronounced deceased at 8:31 a.m., police said.

The deceased was later identified by a family member as 72-year-old Llewellyn Merrick.

In a statement, the VIPD extended its sincere condolences to Mr. Merrick’s family and loved ones, acknowledging the difficulty of the loss.

Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Preliminary findings have revealed no suspected foul play at this time, though police noted that the determination is pending the results of an official autopsy.

The investigation is being handled by the VIPD Marine Unit.