THE Dutch Supreme Court has granted the extradition of Kathron “Kuchi” Fortune, a notorious serial killer originally from Grenada, to Guadeloupe for a retrial concerning his role in multiple violent crimes.
Fortune, who has been active in the Caribbean, particularly in Sint Maarten, has gained international infamy for his brutal killings, including the rape and murder of French woman Angélique Chauviré in 2006.
The Dutch decision allows him to face justice in Guadeloupe, where he had been convicted, in absentia, for Chauviré’s murder, along with additional crimes committed on the French side of St. Martin.

CRIMINAL HISTORY
Born October 14, 1977 in Grenada, Fortune first became known to authorities in the Caribbean in 1989.
At just 22 years old, he received a three-year prison sentence for a violent robbery at a jewellery store in Sint Maarten. His criminal behaviour would escalate over the years, and in 2001, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for violent extortion, a charge he denied. But the most shocking chapter of his criminal history began in 2005.
That year, Fortune murdered Ervin Margerita, an Aruban national, during a botched drug deal at Rice Hill Estate in Sint Maarten. The crime led to a 21-year prison sentence, handed down by the Court of Appeals in 2007.

ON THE RUN
While serving time for the Margerita murder, Fortune escaped custody during a medical visit in February 2016. On the run, his violent spree continued. In December 2016, he killed two men, Luis Sarante Diaz and Edwin Rosario Contreras, in a hotel room at the Simpson Bay Resort in Sint Maarten.
His actions were brazen, as they were committed in broad daylight.
Fortune remained a fugitive until July 2017, when he was recaptured in St. Kitts and returned to the Pointe Blanche prison. However, the damage to the prison caused by Hurricane Irma prompted authorities to transfer him to the Netherlands, where he was held in a maximum-security facility.
Following the murders of Diaz and Contreras, the “Mars” investigation was launched, a significant criminal inquiry in Sint Maarten. In June 2019, Fortune was sentenced to life imprisonment for the killings. He appealed the verdict, but in October 2020, the Appeals Court in Amsterdam upheld his life sentence, citing his lack of remorse, and the extreme danger he posed to society.
In addition to the life sentence in Sint Maarten, Fortune faced charges in Guadeloupe for the murder of Angélique Chauviré. In October 2020, the Court in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, convicted him in absentia to 30 years in prison for her rape and murder, a crime he committed in June 2006 on the French side of St. Martin.
For years, the Netherlands had refused to extradite him, citing his dangerous nature and prior violent history.
However, the Dutch Supreme Court recently reversed this position, approving Fortune’s extradition, with strict conditions ensuring his transfer under the highest security.
The 46-year-old remains incarcerated in the high-security prison in Vught, Netherlands, where he will be closely monitored during extradition. Upon his arrival in Guadeloupe, Fortune will be retried by the Basse-Terre Assize Court in connection with the murders committed in 2005 and 2006.
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE IN ACTION
Kathron Fortune’s extradition marks the culmination of years of legal proceedings across multiple jurisdictions, underscoring the complexities of international crime and justice. Despite being behind bars in the Netherlands, Fortune’s criminal activities continue reverberating through the legal systems of Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe, and beyond.
The decision to proceed with his extradition highlights the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies to hold transnational criminals accountable for their heinous actions. (Loop News)

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Woman hospitalised following house fire in Bahamas

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has launched an investigation into a structural fire which left a 31-year-old woman hospitalised.
According to initial reports, the fire occurred on January 6, 2025, sometime before 04:00hrs. Reports indicate that the woman was alone in a residence on West End Avenue, off Baillou Hill Road, when she awoke to the house on fire. She managed to escape, however, the house was subsequently engulfed in flames.
Fire services responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze. The victim sustained burns, and was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Her condition is unknown at this time. Investigations continue. (Loop News)

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Anguilla police investigating armed robbery at a Western Union location

THE Royal Anguilla Police Force is investigating an armed robbery that took place at the Western Union location inside Lakes Supermarket in Stoney Ground on Saturday, morning.
According to preliminary reports, two masked men, both armed with firearms, entered the establishment and threatened the staff. The robbers managed to steal a sum of approximately XCD$13,000 and US$ 8,500 from the cashiers. After the robbery, the suspects quickly fled the scene on a motorcycle. The incident occurred at about 10:50hrs.
The first suspect is described as having a dark complexion, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, and wearing long sleeves, black socks, and black slippers. The second suspect is described as shorter in stature and also wore long sleeves. No other distinctive features have been noted.
The Royal Anguilla Police Force has condemned the act, calling it a “brazen crime”, and reiterating its commitment to ensuring the safety of the community.
The police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or has information that could assist with the investigation to come forward. (Loop News)