A 37-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Marlon Brando Ebanks’ killing has been released after a police investigation determined he was not involved.
Tammy Smith displays a button picturing her uncle, Marlon Brando Ebanks, who was shot to death in the yard of his West Bay home 21 August. Photo: Brent Fuller |
‘He has been totally eliminated from the enquiry,’ Royal Cayman Islands Police Chief Inspector Peter Kennett said Tuesday.
Marlon Ebanks, 41, was shot eight times in the backyard of his West Bay home the night of 21 August; he was hit four times in the head and four times in the body. Numerous witnesses saw the shooter flee the Boatswain’s Bay Road scene on a bicycle and head toward Kings Road.
RCIPS investigators believe the suspect jumped a fence on the north side of the property and shot Mr. Ebanks as he tried to flee. Mr. Ebanks was found face down in the yard when police arrived.
Mr. Kennett said the arrest was made three days later because the 37-year-old man’s wallet was found near the crime scene. It’s now believed the man simply dropped his wallet there.
‘It was actually (found) where the offender leapt over the fence, it was just in the worst place, from his point of view, the worst place possible,’ Mr. Kennett said.
Seven independent witnesses have confirmed the man was not at Mr. Ebanks’ property at the time of the shooting, which occurred about 9.45pm.
Detectives have not ruled out any particular motives as yet.
‘It bears the hallmark of a contract killing, but could just as easily be a personal vendetta,’ said Inspector Kennett.
Mr. Ebanks’ family members pleaded with the public to help police with their investigation.
‘You cannot keep quiet,’ said Mr. Ebanks’ niece Tammy Smith. ‘Please come forward and assist the police. The killer must not go unpunished.’
Ms Smith and other family members, as well as friends of Mr. Ebanks have been wearing large buttons showing a picture of the victim, his name, date of birth and date of death. Ms Smith said they’ve had about 50 buttons made in hopes they will encourage someone to come forward with information.
Mr. Ebanks was remembered as an easy-going handyman, who loved to tinker with cars and motorbikes and who loved to be around the sea. Ms Smith said he was a big influence in her life.
‘He practically raised me,’ she said. ‘I will never forget that he bought me a pair of school shoes and clothes and fed me when I was younger. He was very stylish and wanted me to be the same.’
Mr. Ebanks leaves behind one son, Marlon Jordan. He lived in Cayman his entire life attending West Bay primary and Cayman Islands high schools.
Ms Smith said she could not understand why someone would want to kill her uncle.
‘(I’m) just as curious as everyone else,’ she said.
Police have sent evidence exhibits to DNA testing labs in both the United States and in the United Kingdom. The evidence tests being performed by the UK Forensic Science Service are lengthy and costly tests known as ‘low copy number’ which only require miniscule DNA samples to obtain results.
Mr. Kennett said dozens of people have been interviewed in connection with the murder. He believes only one suspect was involved in the killing.
Anyone with information about the killing or who may have witnessed anything the night of 21 August is asked to contact the West Bay police station at 949-3999 or call Cayman Crime Stoppers at 800-8477.
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