Skip to content
← All Episodes
Island Justice
Episode 58 September 14, 2022

Island Justice

In 2017, Desiree Gibbon, who was vacationing in Montego Bay, Jamaica, left her hotel room on Thanksgiving night with nothing but her iPhone and her room key. Two days later her body is discovered 4 miles away, badly beaten and her throat slashed. The investigation goes array almost immediately when evidence from the crime scene is left in the hotel room of the victim. With the arrival of Desiree’s parents comes an adversarial relationship with police. Now, almost five years later, not a single person has been identified as a potential suspect. The Gibbon family is desperate for answers. Who killed Desiree and why?

Desiree Gibbon was found murdered in Anchovy, Jamaica on November 25th, 2017. There is a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the capture of Desiree Gibbon’s killer or killers. If you have any knowledge about this case, please submit a tip at unsolved.com.

Download a transcript of this episode

Released Images

Images released in connection with this episode. If you recognise anyone pictured, contact the tip line — you may remain anonymous.

Leave a reply

Comments are moderated. Please send case-sensitive information through the tip line instead.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. john dew July 29, 2024 at 7:31 am

    forensic anthropologist would like to partnership with you group in order to bring closure to the families of missing and murdered loved ones

  2. Ben February 23, 2024 at 6:39 am

    I listened for the first time. I’m so sorry for the family and the girl in this story. Seems like the police are inept. Sad. I’d love to see the FBI or other authorities get involved.

  3. David February 22, 2024 at 1:35 pm

    Desiree’s killer has been found, but no one will listen to me. I know who killed Desiree Gibbon

    1. Oscar June 7, 2024 at 11:16 am

      Then report It!!! To the family.

  4. Lisa July 15, 2023 at 11:46 am

    I’ve been following this case since it occurred in 2017. I will continue to keep the family in my prayers for the justice they deserve.

  5. Munzy mack December 20, 2022 at 2:49 pm

    Why weren’t they able to ping the location of the 2 calls made from her phone to her antie. You would think the US embassy would have a way to get us detectives to work with Jamaican police.

    1. Ben February 23, 2024 at 6:38 am

      I agree the US should get involved.

  6. Lisa October 20, 2022 at 11:53 am

    It’s horrible when you think it can be family. I would think her family out of all people would have protected her especially when in another country. I hope the Desiree’s parents gets their justice. Sleep in paradise Desiree.

  7. Katrina D October 11, 2022 at 1:23 pm

    I’m currently watch Desiree episode of Still A Mystery. It’s well edited. Her mom Andrea comes off racist in the Unsolved Mystery podcast. As a Black woman, her mother’s choice of words and tone when referring to Jamaicans and skin tone is extremely off putting and I wonder if that played a role in how the case is being handled.

    1. Kookie January 19, 2023 at 1:12 am

      I do agree her choice of wording it was weird and racist but when you think of it her skin tone is not black but why was it black when she found her? Was it the decomposition? I wonder if a thorough toxicology was done

      1. Peggy February 2, 2023 at 10:43 am

        Hi, Kookie. I’m Desiree’s aunt. Yes, when my sister saw her daughter in the morgue she was black/gray. Desi always identified as being black, I think people got my sisters word’s twisted! We only pray that the good people of Jamaica who know what happened to her come forward. We have a $20,000 U.S. reward fur their capture and conviction!

        1. Jose Antonio Gonzalez March 26, 2024 at 12:03 pm

          Peggy… have you received any further calls? Is the phone now disconnected? This was a good read: https://www.essence.com/news/desiree-gibbon-phone-call-dead-jamaica/

    2. Andrea Gibbon February 1, 2023 at 6:41 pm

      Are you serious???? Racist!!! You got the wrong person. My words are descriptive not racist! Unless you have a child that was brutally murdered, you will never I stand the pain and struggle of it. Instead of picking up on the frustration and grief, you automatically go to racism which indicate to me that you indeed struggle with and may be a racist yourself. Shame on people like you. You do not know me nor what I represent. If you’d like to further discuss the murder of my daughter and have a cup of coffee. I can meet you at any Starbucks you like. I have no problem sharing and discussing my turmoil. Doesn’t matter where this would have happened, race did not place a role unless those responsible come forth and say we killed her due to race. The color of the skin would not change my grief. Désirée is dead. Instead of attack a mother who is grieving, maybe comments something a little more positive. Regards to you and your family, Andrea Gibbon

  8. Bill Blaski September 19, 2022 at 4:55 am

    I posted about the uncle, but it never made it. Did they investigate the uncle adequately? DNA, bank accounts, friends, etc.

  9. Bill Blaski September 17, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    The mom seems to implicate the uncle. Did uncle have an alibi? Has uncle given DNA, did uncle have defensive wounds? Did uncle leave the hotel att anytime after Desiree left? Did uncle have any large cash withdraws? Is uncle willing to take a polygraph? Did forensics look at uncle’s phone? Did the uncle have a girlfriend or female companion that will give DNA? I would think the Jamaican authorities have multiple confidential informants that work the streets in Montego Bay. Who are these CI saying committed this horrible murder? God Bless this family and I pray you will find answers.

  10. Andrea Gibbon September 14, 2022 at 10:40 am

    Thank you so much for covering this case. I am hoping to get Justice for Désirée.

  11. Raymond September 14, 2022 at 4:49 am

    So sad. The Jamaican authorities don’t seem too interested in helping solve this.