Vonde Bowers was a rising start in the sport of cricket before his murder

Mother of Vondé Bowers Demands Justice, Questions Juvenile Law After Son’s Killing

The mother of 17-year-old Vondé Bowers, who was fatally stabbed in July 2025, is calling for accountability and reform of juvenile justice laws as she continues to await progress in the case.

Bowers was killed on July 29, 2025, just one week after returning to Antigua from a cricket tour in England. According to his mother, he was stabbed multiple times and attempted to make his way home before collapsing in a gutter.

A 16-year-old was arrested, charged in connection with the killing and remanded to custody at the facility formerly known as 1735. The accused, who has since turned 17, was later transferred to the Dennis Bowers Rehabilitation Center.

In a public statement, Bowers’ mother questioned the handling of the case and the treatment of juveniles accused of serious crimes.

“All my life I have never seen a juvenile murderer housed at either Boys Training School or Girls Home. It was always jail,” she said, arguing that being under 18 does not lessen the gravity of the offence. “Murder is murder. Being under 18 doesn’t make your murder any less than an adult.”

She also expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of updates from authorities, noting that more than six months have passed since her son’s death.

“Why does a family have to beg for an update? Why most times there’s never any update?” she asked. “If you admit to committing a crime you still have to sit and wait years for justice?”

The grieving mother is also urging lawmakers to review the Child Act, saying she believes the current framework does not adequately address serious offences committed by minors.

Describing her son as caring and devoted to others, she said he “was an asset to me, to his family, and to this country,” and vowed to continue advocating for justice.

“As long as I have life in me and God grants me the strength, I will fight to the end for my child,” she said.

Authorities have not publicly indicated when the matter is expected to return to court. The case remains before the judicial system.