Cash reward increased for Jamaican murder suspect in the US

Leroy Headley, 37
Leroy Headley, 37

(Jamaica Observer) The cash reward for information on the suspect in the killing of a Vermont woman last year has been increased.

The US Marshals Service announced Monday that it is now offering up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Leroy Headley, 37, who they said has ties to Jamaica, where he is originally from, and across the US and Canada. The service had previously offered US$5,000.

Headley is wanted on a second-degree murder charge in the May 3 shooting death of his partner and mother of his children, Anako “Annette” Lumumba, 33, in South Burlington.

“Headley’s criminal conduct and disregard for the law has made his apprehension a top priority for the US Marshals,” Bradley Rose, US marshal for Vermont, said in the written statement. “Although Headley has avoided apprehension for almost a year, this investigation remains active and intensive.”

Headley’s car was found on May 18 in Albany, New York.

There was some information during the investigation indicating that he was in Philadelphia at one point, deputy US Marshal Michael Barron said Tuesday. The service says it is believed he is living under an assumed name and may have shaved his head or changed appearance.

“This is an individual that certainly could be anywhere in the US,” Barron said. “It’s certainly possible that he’s set up roots in an area that no one knows who he is and he’s just doing his thing.”