A United States Navy culinary specialist, Leoda Bradshaw, stands accused of orchestrating a sinister plot to kidnap and murder a 10-month-old daughter of a prominent Jamaican politician, Toshyna Patterson, and the infant’s mother. The lifeless, charred remains of both victims were discovered earlier this month, casting a chilling spotlight on this horrifying crime.
Leoda Bradshaw, who served within a Miami recruiting unit, now faces grave charges in Kingston, Jamaica. The charges allege that she hired three local individuals to carry out the abduction and murder of Toshyna Patterson, whom prosecutors assert she considered a romantic rival, and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarahay.
Crucially, the deceased child’s father is a high-profile Jamaican politician, further intensifying the gravity of the case. Intrigue surrounding the grisly murders and the politician’s central involvement has catapulted this story to the front pages of newspapers throughout the island nation, as Toshyna and Sarahay vanished on September 9, leaving an entire community in shock and mourning.
Prosecutors maintain that Bradshaw, having discovered Toshyna Patterson’s involvement with the prominent politician, flew to Jamaica with the explicit intent of ending their lives. The Navy has corroborated Bradshaw’s identity as a Culinary Specialist Seaman assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Miami, a recruiting center. Jamaican authorities arrested her on October 5, and she was formally charged in a Kingston courtroom on Friday, October 13, in connection to the deaths of Toshyna and Sarahay Patterson.
Kingston Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, during a press conference, described the crimes as deeply distressing, stating, “Both were brutally murdered and their bodies disposed of. It is one of the most painful investigations for the team since recent times.”
Leoda Bradshaw now faces a total of two counts each of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, and murder. The implications of these charges are severe, given the involvement of a high-ranking Jamaican politician.
According to Jamaican prosecutors and entries on Bradshaw’s Facebook page, the politician at the center of the case is Phillip Paulwell, a member of the Jamaican parliament and former head of the country’s Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining ministry. Additionally, Paulwell oversees a Caribbean-wide telecommunications agency. Paulwell had offered a $500,000 reward for information regarding the disappearance of Patterson and her daughter two days after they vanished from their residence in St. Andrews, just outside Kingston.
On September 10, a day after Patterson and her baby disappeared, Bradshaw posted on her Facebook, asserting her relationship with Mr. Phillip Paulwell and disclaiming any role in their disappearance. She stated, “I wish to state categorically that I have absolutely nothing to do with the disappearance of Ms. Toshyna Patterson and her baby girl.”
Prosecutors counter that it was through these online interactions that Bradshaw learned of Sarahay Patterson’s true parentage. Subsequently, they claim that she paid three individuals to carry out the kidnapping and murder, offering 100,000 Jamaican dollars initially (approximately $640 USD) and agreeing to pay an additional $400,000 after the killings.
Joining Bradshaw in facing charges on Friday were Roland Balfour, Roshane Miller, and Richard Brown, with Balfour reportedly being Bradshaw’s cousin.
The United States Navy, through a spokesperson for Navy Recruiting Command, affirmed its commitment to investigating the allegations, asserting that it takes all misconduct accusations seriously and is fully cooperating with Jamaican authorities and the Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in the ongoing investigation.
Leoda Bradshaw enlisted in the Navy in 2020, as indicated by her service record. Following her training and Culinary ‘A’ School, she served in various units before joining the Naval Reserve center in Miami. While Jamaican media referred to her as a “Naval Officer” or “Petty Officer,” her service record clarifies her rank as Culinary Specialist Seaman in the E-3 pay grade.
