The State Department confirmed Thursday that the bodies of two American missionaries shot and killed in Haiti last week have been returned to the United States.
Deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said the bodies of Davy and Natalie Lloyd had been repatriated and were now in the United States.
“I don’t wish to go into any further discussion. I will simply reiterate what the State Department said last weekend, which is that we offer our deepest condolences to the families of these two U.S. citizens,” Patel said in a statement.
Haitian police say the Lois were shot and killed on May 23 by members of a gang that controls much of the island.
According to the nonprofit organization Mission in Haiti, Davie, Natalie and several other children were attending a church youth group meeting on May 23 when they were “ambushed by a group of men in three trucks.”
“Davey was tied up, beaten and taken to a house, after which the gang got into our truck, loaded him up with whatever they wanted and left,” Mission in Haiti said in a social media post.
Natalie’s father, Missouri Congressman Ben Baker, confirmed the attack in a Facebook post.
“My heart is shattered into pieces. I have never felt pain like this,” Baker wrote.
“They have gone to heaven together. Please pray for my family. We really need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family. I have no other words right now.”
Mission in Haiti is a non-profit Christian missionary organization founded by David and Alicia Lloyd and has been working in the Caribbean since 2000, according to its website.
The couple’s son, Davy, and his wife, Natalie Lloyd (Baker), joined the mission after getting married in June 2022, according to Natalie’s Instagram account.
“On behalf of the President, our Ambassador to Haiti has been in contact with the family. Ministries have also been in contact with the family, and I know they are experiencing unimaginable grief. I would also like to add that the repatriation took place today in accordance with the family’s wishes. As such, officials in Port-au-Prince are working with the family to arrange transportation to the United States,” Patel wrote.
The main international airport in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, reopened on Monday for the first time since March, but the seaport remains closed.
According to the Associated Press, gangs control 80 percent of the capital.
The US government, along with non-profit organisations operating in the capital, evacuated hundreds of civilians fleeing the riots by helicopter.
Former President Trump also commented on the tragedy, posting on Truth Social: “God bless Davy and Natalie.”
“What a tragedy. Haiti is completely out of control. Find the killers now!” Trump wrote.
