‘We lost an innocent angel’ - Khanice Jackson’s neighbour says she was a humble young woman

Sixty-year-old Peter Stewart, neighbour of slain accounting clerk Khanice Jackson, says that he knew her from she was a baby and wishes that he could have protected her.

"Every little thing her mother want to get done like to take Khanice on an interview or so on, they call me. Me leave all me work and go bring her to wherever and carry her back home," he said. "Bwoy, if me did know that morning say something like that would happen me would a bring her to work."

Stewart said that he last saw Jackson, 20, when she strolled by his house on her way to work last Wednesday morning in their Independence City, Portmore, community. She was reported missing after not showing up at work.

Heartless and cruel

"I never even think that would be the last time me would see her. It rough because that could have been my daughter because I have a girl who she and Khanice grew up together," he said. "I have to be very careful with my daughter right now because these men are heartless and cruel."

About 7 a.m. last Friday, a resident stumbled upon Jackson's body on Dyke Road in the municipality and summoned the police. The body was in a partial state of decomposition. A 50-year-old mechanic has been arrested in relation to her death.

"Me have an ailment so me have to take it easy. But every time it flash across my mind me just sad because how a man must do a baby like that," Stewart told THE STAR. He said that Jackson was a humble and reserved young woman.

"Khanice don't leave her yard me can tell you. She don't keep friend. It was just always she and her mother. When anyone go to the house, if they don't call her out you will not see her," he said. "We lost an innocent angel, (she was) always smiling and kind."

Stewart's daughter, Aaliyah, was equally traumatised and heartbroken after losing her childhood best friend.

"Khanice was very fun. I used to go by her house all the time and trust me there was never a dull moment with her presence," she said. "I've been having fear of going on the road and every time I think about what happened I cry."