The serene fishing village of Tobago was shaken by a violent crime that led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of an American man. Christopher Brown, a 43-year-old builder from Silverthorne, Colorado, was tragically found dead on the island of Trinidad and Tobago.

Brown’s body was discovered around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday by officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Responding to reports of an unresponsive individual, the police arrived to find Brown with multiple stab wounds, including a metal object lodged in his back. The motive behind this brutal attack remains under investigation.

Before the incident, Brown had reportedly been enjoying an evening of dinner and drinks with friends. He decided to leave the group, mentioning his intention to purchase marijuana. His departure marked the last time he was seen alive by his companions.

As the local authorities work diligently to piece together the events leading up to this tragic loss, the community and loved ones await answers. This incident has cast a somber shadow over the normally peaceful island, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and justice.

The American was found with multiple stab wounds and a ‘metal object’ protruding from his back. Investigators are still working to determine the motive for the murder.

Police were told that Brown had been having dinner and drinks with friends on Wednesday evening before he went off on his own, telling his friends he was going to buy marijuana. 

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro told The Associated Press: ‘I can confirm that a suspect is currently in custody.’ No further information about the suspect has been released to the public.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service for comment.

Christopher Brown, 43, was found stabbed to death around 10.30pm on Wednesday in Tobago (pictured, stock image)

The American was found in a small fishing village with multiple stab wounds and a ‘metal object’ protruding from his back (stock image)

Officers who found Brown had been responding to a report that the American was found unresponsive in the area

Tobago’s Division of Tourism condemned the murder and said this was ‘the first such act of violence’ in the fishing village where Brown was found dead. They added that the village is traditionally known for being safe and welcoming. 

Authorities did not say whether Brown was a tourist who had recently arrived in Trinidad and Tobago or if he had been there for an extended period of time. 

Brown’s killing was the latest in a surge of murders the dual-island nation has experienced over the past year. 

So far in 2025, the country has recorded 330 homicides, which has prompted officials to declare a state of emergency. 

Authorities took the measure in July, saying a criminal network in the country’s prisons was plotting to kill government officials and attack public institutions.

That is the second state of emergency caused by consecutive years of swelling murder rates. 

In December 2024, the nation also declared a state of emergency after 623 murders were recorded over the course of the year.  

The number of murders has made the small Caribbean country, with a population of around 1.5 million, one of the nations with the highest homicide rates in Latin America.

Authorities did not say when Brown had arrived in Trinidad and Tobago or how long he had been there

So far in 2025, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded 330 homicides, which has prompted officials to declare a state of emergency 

Organized crime in the twin-island republic is responsible for the majority of the murders, many of which are linked to the international drug trade.

Last year, police estimated that around 42.6 per cent of all killings were gang-related.

According to the US State Department, the country’s proximity to Venezuela and its direct transportation links to Europe and North America make it a ‘prime location for narcotics trans-shipment’.

In one high-profile spate of violence, five men were gunned down overnight in a shop on the outskirts of the capital, Port of Spain, which police believed was linked to the killing of a prominent gang leader the day before.

Before the recent states of emergency for the high murder rates, the last state of emergency declared in the country was in May 2021 to allow for restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Almost 300,000 people arrived in Trinidad and Tobago by air or sea in 2024, according to government statistics – a figure that rises to nearly half a million once cruise ship arrivals are factored in.