Female Teen Murdered in Rattan, Suspect in Custody

A.J. Pike 

St. Croix - At approximately 8 pm on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the 911 VITEMA Emergency Call Center received several reports of shots fired in Estate Rattan and the reports indicated that two people had been shot. Officers responded to the call and found a woman lying unresponsive on the ground and a man suffering from a gunshot wound. 

Emergency medical personnel also responded to the call and upon examination pronounced the female dead at the scene. The female was identified by next of kin as Janice Rivera, 19 years old. The male victim was transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital Emergency room for treatment but due to the severity of his wounds, he will be airlifted off St. Croix for further medical care. 

Detectives from the Major Crime Unit in the Criminal Investigation Bureau investigated the case and quickly identified Jaden M. Francis, 22, as the suspect in the murder and shooting. They obtained a search warrant for Mr. Francis residence and found a firearm, ammunition, and property belonging to Ms. Rivera. 

Mr. Francis presented himself at the Criminal Investigation Bureau office several hours later and was placed under arrest and advised of his rights. He is charged with First-degree Murder, First-degree Assault, First-degree Reckless Endangerment, and Third-degree Assault. Bail was set at $1 million and since Mr. Francis was unable to post bail, he was remanded to the John A. Bell Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility. His Advice of Rights Hearing is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2026 in Superior Court. 

The investigation remains ongoing. Any one with information regarding the case is asked to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).