Man Arrested for Murder of Elderly STX Neighbor

A.J. Pike

St. Croix - On June 15, 2025, at approximately 3:53 am, the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of an assault in Estate St. Georges. Reports indicated that the victim was an elderly male who was beaten unconscious and subsequently transported by ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital Emergency Room. 

Upon the arrival of the responding Criminal Investigation Bureau Detectives at the Hospital, they contacted the victim, who was still unconscious and sustained visible injuries to his head. According to the witnesses, they were sleeping inside their home when they heard someone outside their residence asking for help. Upon making a check, they realized it was their neighbor, Mr. Travis Lawrence. The victim invited Mr. Lawrence inside the residence to render possible assistance; however, Mr. Lawrence locked the screen door behind him and began to attack the victim by punching him continuously in the face and head. 

Due to the severity of the victim’s injuries, he was eventually airlifted off island for further medical treatment. Mr. Lawrence was placed under arrest for the assault and released. He then was afforded an opportunity by the Superior Court to leave the island.

During the investigation the victim later succumbed to his injuries on August 20, 2025. Thereafter, a Detective from the Major Crime Unit filed the case with the Superior Court seeking an arrest warrant for Mr. Lawrence. On September 23, 2025, the arrest warrant was signed by the Honorable Judge of the Superior Court for Travis Lawrence’s arrest. His bail was set at $1,000,000. The warrant was also entered into the National Crime Information Center to aid in the apprehension of Travis Lawrence. 

On November 3, 2025, at about 12:03 pm, 36-year old Travis Lawrence was present at the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station to turn himself in with his Defense Attorney. He was able to post bail.