Criminal charges could be filed soon by Marshall Islands government prosecutors against a teenage suspect in a double murder that happened in the capital, Majuro.
Police investigators discovered the body of three-year-old Ashley Marques in this freezer (foreground), and blood splattered on the floor leading to the room with the open door (back) where the body of her father, Robert Marques was found Photo: Hilary Hosia
The murder of a businessman and his three-year-old daughter sparked outrage in the community and a major police investigation, including help from Guam-based FBI agents who spent several days in Majuro earlier this week.
Robert Marques and his daughter Ashley were murdered in late June. Both victims had their throats slashed with a knife. The murders occurred during a robbery of Marques' store.
According to officials involved in the murder investigation, a 16-year-old suspect was apprehended at the end of last week, and when questioned by police, in the presence of his mother, he confessed to the double murder.
The suspect was released after 24 hours as required by the Marshall Islands Constitution in the absence of criminal charges being filed, but later was returned to national police custody by his family for his own safety.
He has been under police custody since Sunday.
Marques operated a business in the rural area of Majuro known as Laura, where he employed over 20 people.
