[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The daughter-in-law of a British billionaire killed a police officer in Belize, a Central American resort favored by the wealthy.
The Guardian reported on the 31st (local time) that Jasmine Hartin, the youngest daughter-in-law of Sir Ashcroft, a British pollster and former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, was arrested on the 28th in Belize on charges of killing a local man.
The deceased man was police officer Henry Jemmett. At the time of his death, Jemmett had a gunshot wound behind his right ear.
According to local police investigations, Hartin and Jemmett, who were friends, drank together on the evening of the 27th. The two had become acquainted after Hartin's husband, Andrew, took a director position at a hotel recently opened in the area.
The police believe that Hartin, while intoxicated, was playing with Jemmett's handgun and accidentally discharged it. At the time of her arrest, bloodstains were found on Hartin's arm and clothes, and a firearm presumed to belong to Jemmett was found at the scene.
Hartin reportedly stated that she was giving Jemmett a massage at the time of the incident and that the gun was handed to her at his request and accidentally fired.
There are also suspicions that the two were in an extramarital relationship. The police denied these allegations, stating, "Both were clothed."
Jemmett's family is questioning the circumstances of his death. The family appealed, saying, "We doubt that a veteran police officer with 24 years of experience could be so careless as to be shot by his own gun. He had five children. Please tell us what happened."
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