Shani Coke's father relives final visit before her death

What was meant to be an ordinary trip to a nearby shop ended in unimaginable tragedy, leaving a grieving father to treasure what would become his last moments with his 10-year-old daughter, Shani Coke.

Speaking with quiet heartbreak, Ashton 'Junior' Coke recalled that it was only last Saturday when his 20-year-old daughter, Shani, visited him at his home in Troy. He spoke lovingly of the young woman whose life was cut tragically short, saying the memory of that visit is one he will cherish forever.

According to Ashton, Shani left her grandmother's home at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday to go to a nearby grocery shop but never returned.

When she failed to come home, her grandmother grew alarmed and alerted residents. A frantic search of the community followed before the devastating discovery of the young woman's body.

Hours later, an enraged mob attacked Delroy Coke, who was fatally beaten. His father, Maxwell Coke, was also assaulted during the violence and admitted to hospital for treatment.

Police said Delroy Coke had a history of sexual offence arrests dating back more than a decade. Records show he was arrested for buggery in Portland on August 9, 2014, arrested in Trelawny on September 3, 2017, for sexually touching a child, and again arrested for buggery in Trelawny on November 30, 2019.

He was convicted in relation to the 2019 offence and served five years at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre before being released in August 2025.

Police have stressed, however, that they have not confirmed Delroy Coke was responsible for Shani's rape and murder. Investigators said they have not stated that anyone witnessed him carrying out the attack or that he had been identified as the perpetrator. However, police noted that his criminal history led many residents to conclude that he was responsible, sparking the deadly mob attack.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that a man has since been taken into custody in connection with the mob killing. Investigators believe he was involved in the fatal attack on Delroy Coke and his father.

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