Authorities in Dominica have launched an identification process after severely decomposed human remains were discovered in a remote precipice in the Capuchin region this week, prompting police to move quickly to address public speculation around a recently missing local teenager.
In an official statement released late Wednesday, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer Fixton Henderson confirmed that law enforcement personnel had recovered the partial human remains from the steep cliff location. Henderson detailed that the remains match the general description of an adult female, who was found wearing a blue top at the time of discovery. Due to extensive decomposition that has left the body completely unrecognizable, police confirmed forensic DNA analysis will be required to formally confirm the individual’s identity.
Henderson emphasized that the update was shared proactively with the public to curb unfounded rumors, stopping short of officially confirming whether the remains belong to 16-year-old Jerbia Paul, a teenager who has been listed as missing since July 24, 2026. Multiple unnamed police sources had previously told local outlet Dominica News Online earlier the same day that the recovered body was that of Paul, who was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt – a detail that aligns with the clothing description of the remains found.
To provide full transparency to the public and Paul’s family, law enforcement has scheduled an official press conference for 9:00 a.m. local time on Thursday at the Dominican Police Headquarters, where officials will share new details on the investigation, initial forensic findings, and next steps in the identification process.