In the late evening hours of November 2, 2014, police were called to the Clarion Hotel on North Boulevard in Richmond, Virginia, following reports of a disturbance. Inside one of the rooms, they made a grim discovery. Eboniece M. Escobar, a 22-year-old female from New York, New York, was found deceased. An investigation revealed she had sustained a single gunshot wound to her head.
The subsequent homicide investigation soon identified three suspects, all from St. Croix in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Arrests followed, though not all at once, creating an international manhunt. Shane Rivera, 20, was apprehended in Virginia Beach, while 21-year-old Jimmar Payne was taken into custody in St. Croix, where he initially fought extradition. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Escobar's death.
The third suspect, 19-year-old J'Wa E. Charlery, remained at large for a period of time. He was eventually located and arrested in the British Virgin Islands. At the time of his capture, Charlery was found in possession of two loaded handguns and a large amount of cash. He also faced local charges in the British Virgin Islands for unlawful possession of firearms and explosives, as well as entering the territory illegally. Like his associates, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The motive for the killing was not immediately made clear by authorities.
