British woman vanishes on popular holiday island as desperate search launched
Mekealah Freemantle, 39, who is believed to come from the London area, disappeared after leaving a hotel in Jamaica - police have said they are 'worried about her safety'
A British woman has gone missing after leaving her hotel on a Caribbean island with an urgent search underway and police "worried about her safety". Mekealah Freemantle, 39, disappeared while on a short holiday to Jamaica, with local police now appealing to the public for information.
Reports from the Ocho Rios Police suggest Freemantle was last seen leaving a hotel in Ocho Rios, St Ann. Ms Freemantle is described as having a dark complexion, a slim build, and standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. The last confirmed sighting of her was on Saturday, May 24, when she left her hotel.
A local source said it is not known whether she went out to visit friends and family when she was last seen.
A police source said: "All we know is that she was visiting the island and was staying in a hotel. We are trying to ascertain whether she has family on island or a boyfriend who she may have gone to visit. We are appealing to the public for help in locating her.
"Most people who go missing are found after a short while. We are worried about her safety and are calling on anyone who know of her whereabouts to contact us. We are hoping that she will be found soon and safe."
Freemantle is believed to come from the London area and has been described as bubbly, gregarious and affable, according to the local source. "We are hoping and praying that she is found safe, safe and in a fit condition. We are praying for that," they added.
Jamaica Constabulary Force also appealed on social media with a message on Facebook stating: "Help us to locate Mekealah Freemantle. If you know her whereabouts, please call the St. Ann's Bay Police or the 119 Police Emergency number."
It also shared a photo of Ms Freemantle and details about her disappearance stating: "Last seen leaving her hotel wearing a large black hat, green and yellow floral blouse, red dotted shorts and a pair of black shoes. She was also seen with a brown shopping bag. All efforts to contact her have proven futile. She is of dark complexion, of a slim build and about 172 centimetres (5 feet 8 inches) tall."
Meanwhile, yesterday police found a body in the search for a missing teenage girl who fell into a reservoir from a dam in West Yorkshire. Emergency services were called to Baitings Dam near Ripponden, at 1.17pm on Wednesday and underwater searches continued throughout Thursday before a body was found on Thursday afternoon.
West Yorkshire Police said a formal identification process is yet to take place, but it is believed to be the girl's body. Her family have been made aware. Detective Inspector Laura Hall, of Calderdale's Safeguarding Team, said: 'While formal identification is yet to take place, the girl's family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.
'My thoughts go out to her family and friends at this very sad time. Our enquiries are continuing into the death in order to establish exactly what happened yesterday, but we do not believe it to be suspicious.'
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