The "battered" bodies of two American missionaries were found in bushes near a church in Jamaica over the weekend, with authorities still seeking clues on the suspects and the motive behind the horrible crime, various news sources report.
The bodies were found in a rural area of the Caribbean island that has long struggled with high rates of violent crime, according to ABC News. With a population of about 2.7 million people, Jamaica has long been known as one of the most violent countries in the world. At least 1,192 slayings were recorded in Jamaica in 2015, about a 20 percent increase from the previous year's record.
In a statement, the Jamaica Constabulary Force identified the two missionaries as Randy Hentzel, 48, and Harold Nichols, 53. Their bodies were found in bushes in separate areas of St. Mary parish.
His Facebook page showed that Hentzel was from Donnellson, Iowa. Nichols' hometown remained unclear.
Both missionaries were members of a Pennsylvania-based religious organisation called Teams for Medical Missions. The two men, together with their families, engaged in evangelism and Bible ministry while at the same time helping build homes for the residents of the community.
"We do not know who would do this or what their motivation was. These men greatly loved the people of Jamaica and were greatly loved in return," said John Heater, executive director of Teams for Medical Missions.
On his Facebook page, fellow missionary Merlin Pratt said he received information that his two colleagues were killed on their way to check on the foundation of a house they were building for an impoverished family.
"Harold and Randy were both great men of God who just loved Jamaica," Pratt wrote.
Hentzel and Nichols were riding a motorbike before they were attacked and killed, according to sources quoted by the BBC.
Hentzel, married with five children, had been a missionary in Jamaica for several years.
His church in the U.S. appealed to the congregation to pray for him during "this time of shocking news and great loss."
"We as a body need to weep with them and wrap our arms around them," the church's statement said.
The U.S. embassy in Jamaica said officials were in touch with the victims' families, and the ambassador had contacted commanders of the island's security forces, emphasising the need for a speedy investigation.
"We are saddened by the horrible deaths of the two American missionaries. They're not just visiting, but have been pillars of both communities for years," Joshua Polacheck, counsellor for public affairs at the embassy, told The Gleaner.
Hentzel was found face down in bushes on Saturday with his hands bound to the back. The following day, Nichols' body was found in the bushes near the church, investigators said.
"Marks of violence" were seen on Nichols' body, one of the investigators said.
