Brit holidaymaker gunned down by hooded intruder at luxury villa in Jamaica

19 December 2023 , 15:22

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Sean Patterson was shot 12 times (Image: Facebook)

A British holidaymaker died who was found dead in a pool of blood had been gunned down in a hail of bullets at a villa in Jamaica, an inquest has heard.

Sean Allen Patterson had gunshot wounds to his upper body and head, when he was found at the villa in Bogue Heights, St James, on January 2. Reports at the time said the 33-year-old personal trainer was shot 12 times by a hooded gunman dressed in black. Mr Patterson, who lived in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, had been staying at the accommodation with another man, who was also from London.

Opening the inquest today at West London Coroner’s Court, senior coroner Lydia Brown said she had received information from authorities in Jamaica. She said: “This is the information I have from the Jamaican Police. It is, by necessity, quite limited – as I understand there is an ongoing, live investigation.

“On 2 January 2023, at around 12:02pm, Sean Patterson, 33 years old, was shot and killed by unknown assailants at the villa where he was staying. He had come to Jamaica on 29 December 2022 with a male companion. They spent three days at an apartment and then booked a villa for five days, commencing 1 January. One man, whose back had been turned to the villa, said he heard several loud explosions – which sounded like gunshots.

“He then saw a lone man dressed in black with a handgun, shooting at Mr Patterson. This man allegedly ran into the bushes. Police were called and Mr Patterson was found in a pool of blood with gunshots wounds to his upper body and head."

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Senior Coroner Brown listed the causes of death as: “1a, injuries to vital organs; 1b, multiple gunshot wounds." She then announced that she would be suspending the inquest while the investigation in Jamaica is ongoing. She said: “The English authorities are currently in liaison with the Jamaican authorities. I am therefore going to suspend this case under my general powers as we await the results of the investigation. This matter is now suspended.”

Sean Patterson was a 33-year-old personal trainer (Facebook)

Senior Coroner Brown added that the suspension would be reviewed every six months. Earlier reports said Mr Patterson's mother claimed it was his first trip to the country to see relatives but Jamaican police claimed they were working on the theory it was a targeted hit.

Kelly-Ann Mills