FREDERIKSTED — The man found inside a burnt-out vehicle Monday morning has been positively identified as 23-year-old Emile Brin, the Virgin Islands Free Press has learned.
Acting on a tip, police were sent to an overgrown, isolated area of Ham’s Bluff at about 10:13 a.m. where they found the vehicle and remains of Brin.
At the time of his death, Brin was facing illegal gun and drug charges from a Feb. 21, 2017 incident on St. Croix.
Unofficial reports say police were able to link the torched car to Brin because his mother reported him and her car missing. Apparently, the license plate was still plainly visible after the burning.
Meanwhile, social media has been abuzz with tributes to the young Crucian.
“Another great soul taken so young,” Jolie Encarnacion wrote on Facebook. “This one really touch me, couldn’t stop crying since I heard, I’ve been trying to avoid social media cause I really don’t want to believe it since I got the text this happen to you, I just talked to you (and) told (you) I was coming and we need to link up.”
On social media, Brin said that he attended St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Country Day School and The Manor School.
Authorities have not yet determined if Brin’s death was a murder or suicide.
A police source said the body was found north of the quarry crusher in Estate Ham’s Bluff.
Arson investigators from the Virgin Islands Fire Service were not allowed on the scene to determine if the fire that burned the body was set intentionally.
A police spokesman said the identity of the victim would be determined by an autopsy and/or next of kin.
The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) did not issue an official press release stating that they were investigating the discovery of Brin.
VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte did not immediately return a message for confirmation of Brin’s death.
The VIPD mistakenly spelled Emile Brin’s name “Emil Brin” in 2017.
