Former People’s National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera, who is charged with murder in relation to the death of his wife, Melissa Silvera, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Monday, February 2, after the case went to court for the first hearing.

Melissa, a land developer before her death, was found dead in the couple’s home in Stony Hill, St Andrew, on November 10, 2023. The former politician was arrested and charged in January 2024 and has been in custody since.

Detectives commenced a murder investigation after three bullet fragments were found inside the body of the politician’s wife.

Initially, it was reported that the 42-year-old mother of four boys—one of whom predeceased her—died in her sleep from natural causes. The couple were married in 2015.

Jolyan is being represented by attorney Peter Champagnie King’s Counsel and Patrice Riley, while the Crown is being represented by prosecutors Dwayne Green and Latoya Bernard.