Community robbed of guiding light - Kevin Walker remembered as model individual

"Kevin don't deserve this." That's the repeated statement from family, friends, and community members following the tragic death of Kevin Walker, a man celebrated for his commitment to youth development and community service.

According to Superintendent Derrick Champagnie, director of the Criminal Investigations Branch of Kingston Eastern Division, Walker was reported missing on February 2, after leaving his Vineyard Town home the previous day failing to return.

On Monday, February 3, a barrel containing a body was discovered along Industrial Terrace in Kingston, a few miles from where Walker lived. The remains were later confirmed to be his.

Walker's brutal death has left his family devastated. His brother shared the harrowing experience having seen his sibling's remains.

"We were never rich, my father sold ice cream for a living. We have parents who raised us with integrity. We don't steal or do any wrongdoing. They teach us pride," he said, emphasising that his brother lived by these values.

Walker, born and raised in Allman Town, was a member of the community's youth club during his formative years. Despite moving leaving the community just over a year ago, Walker frequently returned to support local initiatives. He leveraging his professional connections from roles at Digicel and previously Nestle to secure sponsorships for youth events.

A former vice-president of the National Police Youth Club, Walker is said to have impacted the lives of countless young people across Jamaica. Ricardo Fairman, current president of the National Police Youth Club said "Mr Walker would have served as the 2nd vice-president for the National Police Youth Club movement and during his tenure, he would have impacted the lives of many youths right across the country.

"He was a stalwart in his community, putting programmes in place to assist young people," said Ricardo Fairman, president of the National Police Youth Club.

"Kevin is the only big brother or father some of us know. A him help set nuff a we straight," said one former youth club member.

"When you see dark clouds, him see sunshine and look what dem do him? For the first time in his life he is a father, and they took him. That baby is going to grow [without his father]."