April 23, 2019 – Lisa Rozner, Local TV
DARIEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) – A Connecticut man is accused of killing a hotel worker on a Caribbean island while on vacation with his family.
A family vacation on the British island of Anguilla ended with an arrest and accusations of manslaughter for 44-year-old Scott Hapgood, of Darien.
Last week the island’s police department arrested the father of three in the death of 27-year-old hotel employee Kenny Mitchel. Mitchel worked at the luxury Malliouhana Resort, where Hapgood was staying.
A death certificate shows Mitchel, also a father and husband, died of suffocation and blunt force trauma to the head, neck and torso.
Hapgood’s lawyer reportedly alleges his client was acting in self-defense.
A judge in Anguilla initially denied bail but then allowed Hapgood to walk free on bail equivalent to about $75,000.
His neighbors didn’t want to go on-camera, but were shocked and say Hapgood is a kind man. They say the family has three children in elementary and middle school.
Hapgood works at UBS Financial Services Company. A representative there would only say they were following the situation closely.
As for Mitchel, his family tells CBS2 he’s a native of Dominica and was a peaceful man from a devout Christian family. Among those he leaves behind are a daughter, who they say was his pride and joy.
Hapgood is due back in court on the island Aug. 22. His lawyer allegedly told a local paper there that he has every intention to clear his name.
