Rushawn Patterson was this afternoon (November 11) formally charged with the murder of 33-year-old social media influencer Aneka ‘Slickianna’ Townsend.

Patterson was charged by the St James Police.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), an abundance of forensic, cyber-forensic and technological evidence relating to the incident.

After consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the JCF Legal Services, Patterson was formally charged.

Based on the evidence gathered, the JCF said the events leading up to the murder of Townsend took place as follows:

Townsend arrived in Montego Bay, St James from Kingston on Thursday (October 20), and was picked up by Patterson about 7:30 pm.

The two then visited a restaurant in Hanover, and later travelled to a guest house in St James.

During the course of the night, an argument took place between Patterson and Townsend which resulted in Patterson strangling Townsend and disposing her body.

Her body was discovered floating at Reading in St James, by beachgoers in the area, and retrieved by the Marine Police.

A post mortem examination was conducted on November 5 that determined that Townsend was murdered between 11:00 pm on October 20 and 9:00 am on October 21.

Patterson was arrested on November 2 after police captured him at a guest house in St James.

Additionally, a 47-year-old security guard, Rohan Rose, has been charged with misprision of a felony in relation to Townsend’s murder.

Patterson was also charged in relation to a separate matter involving an alleged ex-girlfriend that took place in 2018. Reports are that he abducted the woman and assaulted her several times.

The investigations into the 2018 case are ongoing and the JCF is appealing to members of the public to assist them in any way possible.

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