American Tourist Killed Hotel Worker: Police

Connecticut man says he killed in self-defense
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 27, 2019 9:40 AM CDT
American Tourist Killed Hotel Worker: Police
The island of Anguilla.   (Getty Images)

An American banker visiting the Caribbean is accused of killing an employee at a five-star hotel—but insists it was done in self-defense, CNN reports. Gavin Hapgood, 44, was arrested and charged with manslaughter on the island of Anguilla after the April 13 incident. A Hapgood rep says the hotel maintenance worker, Kenny "Mylez" Mitchel, entered the family's room "claiming he was there to fix a broken sink" but "was armed and demanding money" and inflicted a "sudden, violent attack on the family." His daughters present, the UBS banker from Connecticut apparently fought back until the 27-year-old employee was dead; an autopsy found Mitchel was beaten and choked to death. But not everyone is buying Hapgood's version of events.

"Kenny was just not a person who'd give anybody problems," Mitchel's uncle, Victor, tells CBS News. A GoFundMe site for Mitchel's family says he "was a very happy friendly individual" who has "videos of him singing and entertaining the crowds." The site also claims Hapgood called him to his room by name, which the American disputes. Hapgood had "to seek medical attention to his wounds from the altercation, which included multiple cuts from the knife Mr. Mitchel came bearing," a rep tells NBC News. Released on $74,000 bail, Hapgood promises to return and face trial. But locals are expressing outrage over a wealthy tourist given apparently preferential treatment, per the New York Post. An Anguilla official is urging calm "even when we are justifiably outraged or emotionally distresed." (More manslaughter stories.)

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