VIRGIN ISLANDS, ST THOMAS: The grieving parents of an Alabama woman who mysteriously died in the US Virgin Islands seek justice as they suspect their daughter's former employer's involvement in her death. Lily Ledbetter, who worked at an animal shelter, was found unresponsive at her residence in St John in June.
Following the death of the 22-year-old woman, her parents Sharon Thrash and Patrick Ledbetter spoke out as they feel they have received little information on the death probe. Speaking to Fox News, they said, "She had been introduced to a man named William Tuttle there to possibly take on a good opportunity, possibility as a first mate on a charter boat for the charter company."
What happened to Lily Ledbetter?
Ledbetter's parents claimed she worked at Yellow Bird Charters under Tuttle. However, her excitement about being part of the hospitality industry did not last long as she later expressed her fear that her co-workers were not good people and told her parents she wanted to leave the place.
"We feel that basically, this guy was a sexual predator. He manipulated our daughter. We have lots of information regarding him, the relationship between himself and our daughter. It seems as though this was a relationship or something here in the States... He would already be a major suspect, and to this day, I don't think he's even being questioned," said Patrick.
Tuttle reacted to Ledbetter's death
According to Ledbetter's parents, Tuttle has not yet been named a suspect in the death case. Following her death, Tuttle released a statement to the outlet. "Lillys [sic] passing is a terrible loss! Lily was suggested to me by a friend as I was looking for a first mate and, as luck would have it, I have never had a better assistant on the boat for the three weeks that she was working for me, I have never found a person that learned so quickly and adeptly as Miss Lily," he wrote.
"Her ability to maneuver and dock the dinghy, for instance, was perfect by day two end she was clearly enjoying the hospitality industry and the day charter experience. She will be missed!", Tuttle continued.
Ledbetter's negative autopsy
Ledbetter's parents still have suspicions about the circumstances surrounding her death even after the completion of the autopsy. "It was basically a negative autopsy. There is no injury, nothing to explain the cause of the death," said Dr. Francisco Landron.
After Ledbetter's mysterious death, a detective assigned to her case who helped her parents receive information about the investigation was allegedly fatally shot. "We were told that our autopsy could take anywhere from two to five months by the attorney general's office. I asked about who was questioned… who was possible suspects, any of that information, and we haven't received anything," said Patrick.
