Community mourns Kevin Highfield, autopsy to determine cause of death

Community members and government officials are offering condolences to the family of Kevin Highfield, who was found dead Sunday in dense brush along a hiking trail at Magens Bay on St. Thomas.

“The last week has been a dark week for us individually and collectively. First, on behalf of myself and my family, my heartfelt sympathies to the family of Kevin Highfield — a family I know very well,” Sen. Marise James said Monday during the opening of the Education and Workforce Development Committee hearing.

“I wish you comfort and peace to face the days ahead and love and memories to hold in your heart,” James said. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. also offered condolences to the Highfield and de Chabert families during Monday’s weekly press briefing. V.I. Police spokesman Glen Dratte said Monday that Highfield, 61, was found near a hiking trail “all the way to the top in some bushes.”

While his identity has been confirmed, Dratte said investigators have not yet determined Highfield’s cause and manner of death. Highfield’s body had been exposed to the elements — which included high temperatures and heavy rainfall — and it’s believed he had been dead for at least two days when he was found, Dratte said. Highfield’s last known contact with friends occurred just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning, when he said he was headed into the bush to catch up with a hiking group.