Tonight, police are close to making an arrest in the shocking murder and decapitation of 56 year old Cotton Tree resident Hilton Wayne Wade. We'll tell you about the swift investigative work that the cops have been doing in a minute, but, first, we have more on Wade. He doesn't have any close relatives so a few Cotton Tree residents are all he has. We spoke to them today. Courtney Weatherburne has more:...
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Hilton Wade lived a routine and solitary life at this abandoned Cotton Tree house. Everyday, he would go scavenging for dried coconuts, vegetables and bottles to sell.
One of Wade's first stops would be at Roberto Veron's fruit stall nearby.
Roberto Veron, Fruit Vendor
"Everyday he goes walking to find bottles, come find something to sell to buy some food right."
Now his stash - and everything in his home is charred - burnt by his killer.
The killer stabbed him many times, and severed his head. Police found his body about 20 yards behind his house yesterday morning.
While another team collected Wade's head at this bus stop in Cotton Tree. It was a ghastly roadside scene.
What is even more disturbing is that Wade had told his friend Veron that two men were out to get him.
Roberto Veron, Fruit Vendor
"The man came and he talked to me right and he told me that the man is trying to kill him."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"So he told you that somebody wanted to kill him?"
Roberto Veron, Fruit Vendor
"Yes he didn't tell me who."
Courtney Weatherburne
"When did he tell you this?"
Roberto Veron, Fruit Vendor
"The man didn't tell me who but he told me last week, the man he talked to me, he came to sell bottle, I bought bottle from him and the man told me the two person went to his house to try to kill."
Veron didn't give Wade's troubling account much thought but he was still surprised when he found out about Wade's horrific murder. As far as he is concerned Wade didn't have problems with anyone.
Roberto Veron, Fruit Vendor
"The man was good, he talk good for me and for my wife and he respects my wife and he respect me so I don't know what happened."
"The man is no trouble to nobody."
Karen Anderson is the closest thing to family for Wade. She had known him for about 10 years and she says that Wade was a prolific plantation pillager and that may have gotten him in trouble.
Courtney Weatherburne
"And you say the only thing that could have caused it is because maybe he used to go into people farms and plantains and steal their fruits and stuff?"
Karen Anderson, Friend
What? He does like to do that when he is coming he is coming with his big sack."
Another theory is that he had gotten into a few confrontations recently. But all Anderson knows for sure now is that she will never see her long-time friend again, only the times they spent together remain.
Karen Anderson, Friend
"I used to cook for him every day, I used to wash for him sometimes too and after that he think we are family to him so he would come hang out with me and my sister and he was a nice person."
"My eye water is looking to come out because it is not like he is real family member but to me he was close to us so I Just felt sad."
Email
Print