UBS Banker Scott Hapgood Says Anguilla Hotel Worker's Killing Was 'Self-Defense'

UBS investment banker Gavin Scott Hapgood claimed that the alleged killing of a maintenance worker at a luxury hotel in Anguilla was "self-defense." The 44-year-old was with his two young daughters in his hotel room at the upscale Malliouhana resort when Kenny Mitchel, 27, was killed there on April 13.

Hapgood was charged with manslaughter for allegedly killing the maintenance worker and released on a $74,000 bond that sparked anger among Anguillans. Mitchel was killed by “prone restraint, positional asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head, neck and torso,” according to the death certificate, cited by Page Six.

"Attacked without warning in his family’s hotel room by a maintenance worker who was armed and demanding money, Scott Hapgood acted in self-defense to protect the lives of his young daughters and himself," his spokesperson Kelcey Kintner said in a statement on behalf of Hapgood. "Despite false reports to the contrary, the Hapgoods never called maintenance. Neither invited nor expected, the worker showed up unannounced in uniform at the hotel room, claiming he was there to fix a broken sink before carrying out his sudden, violent attack on the family."

"A dedicated father and husband and respected member of his community, Scott and the members of his family have been traumatized by the assault they survived and are thankful to be alive," the statement read.

The case sparked racial tensions on the Caribbean island that caters to wealthy tourists. Some Anguillans demanded Hapgood return to face justice in the British territory. Hapgood is an account manager with UBS Global Asset Management in New York City and lives in Darien, Connecticut.

“We are not shrouding the case in mystery, we are bound by rules and so are others on what can be said,” a statement from local Police Commissioner Paul Morrison read. “We have charged a man in connection with the death of Mr. Mitchel. The court granted bail and we now prepare for the court process and eventual trial.”

Randy Dick, a Royal Anguilla Police Force public media relations officer, provided a statement on Facebook about the posts by social media users expressing concerns about what happened.

“The Royal Anguilla Police Force acknowledges the fact that people want information in respect of the recent arrest and charging of a U.S. tourist, however, like all investigations these are not conducted on social media,” the statement said. “The comments being made on the RAPF Facebook have no foundation in fact and are likely to incite racial hatred and can prejudice a jury, especially since they will be chosen from among the community of Anguilla.”