An accountant from New York was tragically killed just hours after returning from a birthday trip in Jamaica. Her final message to her family highlights the grave situation she found herself in before her death, and her husband has been identified as a person of interest in the case.
Melissa Kelly Somnath passed away on April 29, her 35th birthday, due to blunt force trauma to the head, as confirmed by Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James, Jamaica. The announcement was made via social media.
Before her death, Somnath sent a distressing WhatsApp message to her family, urging them to reach out to the authorities. The message, timestamped shortly before 11pm on April 28, read: “Please call the police…look where I am…pink house.”
Somnath had just arrived on the island earlier that day for her birthday celebration, but her husband, Dane Watson, reportedly left her at a local hospital, critically injured, just hours after her alarming message.
Sadly, the Queens resident was pronounced dead a few hours later.
Police launched an investigation and found evidence at a residence in St James Parish, near Montego Bay. They haven’t disclosed who owns the property, but reports indicate that they discovered a pool of blood and some of Somnath’s personal items inside.
Watson has been named a person of interest in connection with the murder investigation.
Surveillance footage captured him carrying a suitcase from their Airbnb to another property just before Somnath’s death. It’s also reported that he reached out to his mother and confessed to the killing, claiming he had abandoned her at the hospital without proper care.
Authorities believe Watson and Somnath were married in December 2025, and it’s said they met online before she traveled to Jamaica for her birthday.
Her family expressed heartbreak over her loss, describing her as “one of the most loving people I’ve ever known.” The horrific nature of the murder has left the quiet Norwood neighborhood on edge, with residents aware of the wanted man.
Neighbors described the crime scene, stating there was significant blood found in Watson’s home, suggesting a violent altercation had taken place. There are concerns among locals about his whereabouts, especially since he may blend in with tourists.
Somnath’s family confirmed her death through a GoFundMe page on May 4, highlighting her vibrant life, love for travel, and how her passing has left a void that words cannot capture. The donations collected would help cover funeral costs, with any surplus going to a domestic violence support group in her honor.
