True crime: Did a drunken game of Russian Roulette kill this Belize police chief?

Authorities are investigating the death of Belize police chief, Henry Jemmott, who may have been killed during a drunken game of Russian Roulette. The only witness & possible suspect in this true crime case is American Jasmine Hartin. Hartin, thirty-eight, is the daughter-in-law of Lord Michael Ashcroft. 

The pair had allegedly been drinking together on a pier in San Pedro Island, Belize before Jemmott was fatally shot & killed. On Friday, Jemmott’s body was found in the waters of the island with a single gunshot wound behind his right ear. Little is known about the events which occurred in the true crime case.

The investigation into Henry Jemmott’s death

Police stated they believe that the San Pedro Superintendent and the billionaire’s daughter-in-law were playing a drinking game with Jemmott’s firearm before he was killed. Not much is known yet on how the pair met and what exactly they were doing prior to Jemmott’s death.

Jasmine Hartin was found with blood on both her arms & clothing, in a complete state of shock. Hartin is married to the son of businessman and politician Lord Michael Ashcroft. According to her LinkedIn profile, Hartin is the Director of Lifestyle & Experience at the Alaia Belize hotel group, a company run by her husband Andrew Ashcroft.

A security guard found Jasmine Hartin “deeply distressed and shaking” after he overheard the gunshot. Police have attained Jemmott’s pistol which was found on the pier. Henry Jemmott’s sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul, spoke with The Daily Mail after hearing of her brother’s death. 

Tzul was informed on Sunday night that Hartin will be charged with her brother’s death. “I got a call. I was informed that she will be charged [Monday], but they did not say what she was going to be charged with”, Tzul told The Daily Mail. 

Possible charges against Jasmine Hartin

British Lawyer Edward Fitzgerald has stated that Hartin will likely be charged with manslaughter if the court proves that Russian Roulette was the cause of death. Belize’s manslaughter charge comes with heavy penalties which can extend to twenty-five years in prison. 

However, Fitzgerald also stated: “There is a chance in this type of case that the authorities could determine that the death was completely accidental and no charges would be brought.”

Chester Williams, the Belize Police Commissioner said: “We have to look at the investigation with an open mind, but so far, we have not had any indication to suggest that there was any third actor.”

Williams also stated that Jasmine Hartin has yet to cooperate with investigators since she was taken into custody. Williams added, “In the absence of an explanation … she would have to be treated as the killer.” Jasmine Hartin has refused to make any comments without the presence of her lawyer. 

So far, Williams has stated: “From what we know they are friends. From what we have been made to understand they were drinking. From investigation they were alone on the pier and yes, they were both fully clothed.” Besides these few facts, the Belizean true crime investigation has yet to reveal any further information.

Henry Jemmott’s sister believes he was murdered

The victim’s sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul, has stated she believes Henry was murdered. Tzul has stated, “My brother would never kill himself. He had a passion for life. He looked forward to being with his five children and his fiancee. My brother loved life.He had passion for his work. He did his work with integrity. My brother loved people.”

She added, “I believe he was killed. The investigation can tell me otherwise, but I believe he was killed.” 

Tzul reported that she had spoken to her brother the night of his death. It was 10 pm when Jemmott told Tzul that he was too tired to go out after his fishing trip that day. 

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Hartin was detained for two days in Belize after she was found at the crime scene. Lord Ashcroft’s trusted lawyer Godfrey Smith, who is also the UK’s former attorney general, was seen visiting the Belizean jail on Friday afternoon. Lord Ashcroft has yet to release a statement concerning the true crime investigation.