Tobago authorities are pursuing a homicide investigation following the fatal stabbing of American tourist Christopher Brown in the coastal village of Castara. The 44-year-old Colorado resident was ambushed on a darkened pathway off Depot Road Wednesday night, allegedly by a 26-year-old Scarborough man who mistakenly identified him as a romantic rival.
According to homicide investigators, the suspect had attended a weekly drumming session on Castara’s beachfront where he confronted his girlfriend about her apparent interaction with another attendee. Leaving in anger, the man reportedly concealed himself along an unlit track where he later attacked Brown with multiple stab wounds, leaving the weapon embedded in the victim’s back.
Police confirmed the assailant contacted his girlfriend afterward, apparently believing Brown was the individual who had sparked their earlier argument. Authorities note the actual person of interest shared similar physical characteristics with the deceased tourist.
Brown had been vacationing with his girlfriend at Castara Retreats resort and was scheduled to return to Colorado Thursday. Following the beach gathering, he had inexplicably returned toward the drumming session alone shortly before the attack.
Tourism Secretary Tashia Burris condemned the violence as a “horrific act” while emphasizing Castara’s historically safe environment. Local tourism association president Bertill Taylor expressed community trauma, stressing the perpetrator was an outsider from Rockly Vale. Taylor highlighted longstanding infrastructure concerns regarding Depot Road, which lacks lighting and maintenance despite being a frequent access route to Little Bay beach.
The incident marks Tobago’s ninth homicide this year, occurring just days after another fatal shooting in Mason Hall. Tourism representatives expressed concern about the season’s already declining bookings, hoping the tragedy wouldn’t further deter visitors to what they describe as a vibrant, community-policed destination.