Kerry “Dolla Man” Oliver Identified as Homicide Victim in Gruesome Bendals Discovery: Body Found Stuffed in Barrel Sparks National Outcry, Pressure Mounts on Law Enforcement as Antigua and Barbuda Records Sixth Murder of 2025

BENDALS, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA — The quiet farming district of Bendals has been thrust into the national spotlight following the gruesome discovery of a man’s body stuffed inside a blue plastic barrel on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Authorities have since identified the victim as Kerry Oliver, 43, a resident of Pigotts, affectionately known across his community as “Dolla Man.” The revelation has sparked widespread outrage, grief, and renewed public demands for justice, marking the sixth recorded homicide in Antigua and Barbuda for the year.

The chilling find was made on a secluded farm property just outside the main Bendals village, an area typically associated with agriculture, family life, and peace. According to preliminary reports, Oliver had been reported missing by relatives on Saturday, May 24, after he failed to return home and could not be reached by phone—a move described by loved ones as completely out of character. Concerns quickly escalated into fears when he failed to answer urgent calls from family and friends.

Those fears were tragically confirmed the next day.

Macabre Scene in Rural Bendals: Barrel Concealed Behind Farm Structure

On the evening of Sunday, May 25, a passerby reportedly noticed a foul odor coming from a corner of a lightly wooded area on the edge of a farming compound. Upon further investigation, the source was traced to a blue plastic barrel, partially obscured by overgrown grass and debris. What emerged next stunned even seasoned investigators: the barrel contained the body of a man, later positively identified as Kerry “Dolla Man” Oliver.

According to police sources, the condition of the body suggests that Oliver was likely deceased for at least 24 hours before discovery. Initial assessments from investigators at the scene suggested signs of physical trauma, although the exact cause of death remains pending a full post-mortem examination. Crime scene technicians sealed off the area and launched an intensive forensic sweep of the site, collecting samples, prints, and any potential trace evidence that could lead to suspects.

A Familiar Face in the Community

Kerry Oliver, or “Dolla Man” as he was affectionately known, was a familiar figure in Pigotts and surrounding areas. Known for his affable nature, street-smart demeanor, and entrepreneurial spirit, he had carved a reputation as someone who was resourceful and deeply connected with the local community. His untimely death has left residents reeling.

“He didn’t deserve this,” said a childhood friend who asked not to be named. “Dolla was loved. He’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. For someone to do him like this—it’s evil.”

Community members gathered in quiet vigils Sunday night and into Monday morning, lighting candles and placing flowers at Oliver’s last known location in Pigotts. Social media was quickly flooded with tributes, memories, and urgent calls for the police to bring those responsible to justice.

Police Confirm Homicide: Investigation Intensifies

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) has formally classified the case as a homicide. In a brief press release issued on Monday morning, Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney confirmed the identity of the deceased and pledged to “spare no effort in the pursuit of justice.”

“This was a deliberate and heartless act,” the statement read. “We have already launched an active investigation, and several leads are being followed. We ask the public to come forward with any information that could aid our investigation.”

Sources within the police department, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a special task force has been assembled, including officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Forensics Unit, to focus on the case. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby roads, conducting interviews with local residents, and analyzing digital communications from Oliver’s phone in a bid to reconstruct his final hours.

National Reaction: Public Anger and Demands for Accountability

The gruesome nature of Oliver’s death and the method by which his body was concealed—stuffed into a barrel and hidden away—has deeply unsettled the national psyche. Public outrage has erupted on talk shows, news platforms, and social media, with citizens decrying what they see as a disturbing trend of increasing violent crime and a slow justice system.

“I’m tired of seeing our young men killed and dumped like garbage,” one woman called into a local radio program Monday morning. “This cannot continue. We need answers, and we need them fast.”

Prominent civic organizations, including the Antigua and Barbuda Council for Human Rights, have issued public statements condemning the violence and calling for structural reforms in the criminal justice system. The council urged the government to enhance community policing, increase support for forensic investigations, and prioritize funding for social programs aimed at addressing the root causes of crime.

Family Devastated, Seeking Justice and Closure

For Oliver’s family, the grief is still too raw. Speaking to local media outside their home in Pigotts, his younger sister, visibly distraught, called for anyone with information to speak out.

“We just want to know why. Why him? Who would do something like this? He was a father, a brother, a friend. He didn’t deserve this.”

Family members confirmed that Oliver had no known enemies and had not reported any recent threats or altercations. However, police have not ruled out the possibility that the murder may have been linked to an unresolved personal dispute or a broader criminal network. Authorities continue to explore all avenues.

Antigua’s Rising Murder Count: A Growing Concern

With Kerry Oliver’s death, the national homicide tally for Antigua and Barbuda has reached six in the first five months of 2025, a figure that has alarmed both citizens and law enforcement. While still relatively low by international standards, the frequency and brutality of recent killings have left many residents feeling vulnerable and questioning the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies.

Last month’s murder of a 19-year-old man in Grays Farm—shot multiple times outside a convenience store—remains unsolved. Just weeks earlier, a woman in Bolans was strangled and left in a ravine. Both cases, like Oliver’s, are under active investigation, but the pace of justice has sparked criticism.

“We need a national crime summit,” one local pastor suggested on a live-streamed town hall Monday evening. “Our youth are dying, and we are not doing enough to protect them.”

Leads and Theories: Who Killed Dolla Man?

As the investigation unfolds, theories abound.

Some speculate that Oliver may have been lured to the location under false pretenses, perhaps by someone he trusted. Others suggest the crime could be connected to disputes over money or personal betrayal. Rumors have also circulated regarding alleged connections to underground gambling or informal loan schemes—claims police have not yet verified.

Detectives have not named any suspects publicly, but they are reportedly zeroing in on a “person of interest” last seen with Oliver on the day of his disappearance. Police are urging anyone who saw Oliver on Saturday, May 24, or who may have dashcam or surveillance footage from the Bendals or Pigotts area to come forward immediately.

Government Response: “No Tolerance for Brutality”

Minister of National Security Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin issued a statement Monday afternoon, promising that the government would not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice.

“This is not who we are as a people,” the statement read. “Antigua and Barbuda is a nation of peace, but when that peace is shattered, we must respond with decisive action. I have directed the Commissioner of Police to utilize all resources necessary.”

The Ministry has also announced a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Oliver’s death, though the amount has not yet been disclosed.

Legacy of “Dolla Man”

Though his life ended in tragedy, Kerry “Dolla Man” Oliver is remembered fondly by many who knew him. Friends recall his easy laugh, his generosity, and his fierce loyalty to those he cared about. A self-made man who hustled to make ends meet, he was a mentor to some and a friend to many.

Plans are already underway for a community memorial service in Pigotts, with local pastors, civic leaders, and artists coming together to honor his memory. A mural has also been proposed in his name.

“We will not let his story end in a barrel,” one friend said. “We will speak his name, demand justice, and remember who he was—a human being with dreams, a life, and a name.”

Call to Action

As investigations continue, the death of Kerry Oliver stands as a somber reminder of the urgent need for societal reflection and reform. Authorities are working around the clock to solve this heinous crime, but the wounds left behind will take much longer to heal.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS. Anonymous tips are welcomed, and all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Let us say his name, seek justice, and demand that no more lives be discarded like refuse. The island mourns—but it must also act.