Colleagues of Judiann Myles have paid tribute to a “vibrant, compassionate” person who they described as a key figure in the Cayman Islands’ fight against money laundering.
Myles, the head of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority’s Anti-Money Laundering Division, was found dead inside a burning vehicle in Bodden Town on Thursday, 3 April.
Police formally identified Myles as the victim on Sunday, but have not said how she died or revealed any details about the nature of their investigation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, CIMA said it was with “profound sadness” that its staff reflected on the passing of their “colleague and beloved friend”.
The authority noted that for more than 25 years, Myles had been a highly valued member of CIMA.
“She was a vibrant, compassionate individual whose warmth, kindness, and unwavering commitment left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with her. Her passing is a significant loss to the CIMA family and the wider regulatory community,” it said.
CIMA career
During her career at CIMA, the authority said, she worked in four key divisions, beginning in 1999 in the Investments Supervision Division, before transitioning to the Policy and Development Division, where she served as chief policy and development officer and later as deputy head.
Myles also served as deputy head of the Compliance Division for four years and, most recently, was appointed head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Division on 1 June 2024. In that division, CIMA said, “she also played a critical role in the formation and development of the division’s strategy, having served as Deputy Head previously”.
She helped strengthen CIMA’s regulatory framework, and was “instrumental in shaping regulatory policies, fostering engagement with industry stakeholders, and ensuring that the Authority remained responsive to both domestic and international financial regulatory changes”.
The authority noted that Myles was highly respected by her peers in the regional and international financial community, and as co-chair of the Financial Action Task Force Joint Group of the Americas, had represented the Cayman Islands and the region “with grace, professionalism, and integrity”.
It added, “Her vast knowledge, collaborative approach, and leadership were unmatched. Judiann was also a generous mentor to many in the field, always willing to share her
expertise, offer guidance, and invest time in the growth and development of others, especially young professionals.
“On behalf of the entire Authority, we extend our deepest condolences to Judiann’s family and loved ones. May they find strength, comfort, and peace in the legacy she leaves behind. Judiann will be greatly missed, but her memory will forever live on in our hearts.”
‘Dedicated’ to stability of financial services
In a joint statement from the Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce, and the Attorney General’s Chambers, ministry staff said they had been honoured to work with Myles.
“Judiann’s star was bright, ascending, and greatly respected because of her unwavering dedication to further improving the stability of financial services – not just for those of us on these Islands but also for people around the world,” they said.
They added, “With her sharp, insightful mind and deep understanding of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, she was a key member of our Islands’ local, regional and global delegations. We proudly recall how she used her seat at the table to positively influence discussions and shape outcomes for the better.”
Remembering her warm personality, clear purpose, and love for the Cayman Islands, they said, “it’s difficult to accept that our friend and colleague is no longer with us. Judiann will always be missed. We join with others in wishing her family comfort.”
In the same statement, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin said, in his capacity as chairman of the Cayman Islands Anti-Money Laundering Steering Group, and the Cayman Islands prime contact for the Financial Action Task Force and Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, he could attest to Myles’ “significant contribution to the fight against money laundering in the jurisdiction and regionally”.
“She was the quintessential ambassador for our islands and the region in such endeavours and represented us with absolute poise and professionalism,” he said.
He added, “Judiann’s death is an unspeakable tragedy that has created a void that will not be easy to fill. On behalf of the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism network, we offer our condolences to her family as we navigate this difficult period.”
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