St Mary woman searches for brother last seen in Old Harbour

Her hands were stack with papers. On each piece of paper was the image of a man in a tailored suit with the word ‘Missing’ in bold letters at the top.

For the next half hour Dempster informed Old Harbour News that the man on the flyer is one of her younger siblings – Alphyous Dempster – who has been reported missing since May 7.

The Dempster family is from the quiet rural community of Jobs Hill, St Mary and the last few days have been understandably difficult for them. But upon receiving word that Alphyous, otherwise called ‘Heron’, was spotted in southwest St Catherine, Lashreka quickly made her way to its commercial epicenter. 

She told Old Harbour News that seven years ago Heron, 30, suffered a near fatal accident along the PJ Patterson Highway, formerly Highway 2000, in the vicinity of Old Harbour. A professional painter back then, Heron sustained serious head injuries, resulting in mental challenges today. Since that horrible crash, Heron had wandered from their St Mary home once before being discovered right here in Old Harbour, she revealed. 

She’s not sure if memories of the accident seven years ago keep bringing him back to Old Harbour, but there was no hesitation to return to the St Catherine township when someone called the family that he was seen in Old Harbour a few days ago. 

As she walked off after purchasing a pack of thumb tacks, she said in a weary voice “we just want to find him and take him home”. 

It has been a long day searching for her beloved brother, but as tired as she is, Lashreka isn’t giving up. 

If you or anyone you know have any information on the whereabouts of Alphyous Dempster, call 876 330 8531; 876 292 2927; police emergency 119 or the nearest police station.