Murder of Jean Jayce Donovan Clovis in 2022: William Sanassee Sentenced to Life in Prison
Johny Michel William Sanassee, a 27-year-old man, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Assize Court on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. He was found guilty of the premeditated murder of his friend, Jean Jayce Donovan Clovis, who was 28 years old. "The manner in which the murder was committed demonstrates cold premeditation, brutality, and a complete disregard for human life," stated Judge Medhi Manrakhan.
The murder reportedly occurred on February 22, 2022, on Carangue Avenue, Morcellement Ramdhony, Pointe-aux-Biches. Johny Michel William Sanassee, who lives in Pointe-aux-Biches, pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025, during his trial. In his ruling, Judge Medhi Manrakhan described the case as disturbing in nature. According to the initial version provided by the accused, the incident occurred after he allegedly caught the victim in an inappropriate situation involving a minor. He claimed to have borrowed a surfboard from the victim, but the court found this assertion to be unfounded.
Continuing his account, Johny Michel William Sanassee stated that they had gone surfing but had to return quickly due to rough seas. Once back at his residence, while his friend was seated at the table, he approached him from behind and slashed his throat with a knife, subsequently stabbing him in the head multiple times.
He then wrapped the body in a sheet and threw it over a wall before burying the remains along with the victim's clothes. A month later, the accused returned to the site, exhumed the body, and mutilated the remains, including smashing the skull and consuming part of the human remains. These actions were regarded as significant aggravating factors by Judge Manrakhan.
It is important to note that Jean Jayce Donovan Clovis was reported missing on February 22, 2022. More than a year later, in November 2023, two acquaintances of the accused came forward to the police, claiming that he had confessed to them about the crime. DNA analyses confirmed the identity of the remains found. The judge noted that the accused only fully acknowledged the facts after being confronted with this scientific evidence.
