Three Men Identified in Triple Homicide on St. Croix as Police Continue Investigation
2026-01-20 14:36:34 - VI News Staff
ST. CROIX — Authorities have identified the three men found dead Monday morning at the Concordia Dumpsite, after next of kin confirmed the identities of all three victims in what police are investigating as a triple homicide. The deceased have been identified as Carlos Parrilla, 60; Fernando Santiago, 49; and Omar Castillo, 37, according to information provided by investigators.
The discovery was reported at approximately 8:08 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, when a citizen contacted the St. Croix 911 Emergency Communications Center about three men with apparent gunshot wounds to the head near the dumpsters in the Concordia area. Responding units from the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, all three men were found unresponsive and were pronounced dead. Speaking at a briefing held at the site later that morning, St. Croix Chief of Police Uston Cornelius described the incident as “an unfortunate incident” and said investigators are seeking the community’s help as the case progresses.
Detective Chief Marisol Colon Santiago provided additional details, confirming that officers encountered “three unresponsive bodies” at the location and that the victims were adult males. She emphasized that investigators are working to piece together events leading up to the killings and are relying heavily on public cooperation. “At this time they have not been identified and we don't have anyone to identify them,” Colon Santiago said during the briefing, prior to next-of-kin notification.
She urged anyone who may know individuals who frequent the dumpster area in Estate Concordia to come forward. Police are also asking for information from anyone who may have heard gunshots or observed suspicious activity during the early morning hours.
“If you heard and you saw anyone walking, running or even driving away from this area, that's information we need,” Colon Santiago said. Investigators indicated they are particularly interested in activity occurring between approximately 3:00 a.m. and the time the bodies were discovered. Colon Santiago stressed that even details that may seem insignificant could prove critical.