Defence Suggests Taxi Driver or Stalker May Be Linked to Donna-Lee Donaldson’s Disappearance

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The defence team for Constable Noel Maitland, who is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Donna-Lee Donaldson, on Monday sought to raise the possibility that a taxi driver or a stalker could have played a role in the young woman’s disappearance.

Maitland is being tried in the Home Circuit Court for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in connection with Donaldson’s disappearance and presumed death in July 2022.

Donaldson, 24, was a popular social media influencer, swimwear entrepreneur, and customer service representative. She was reported missing on July 13, 2022, two days after she was reportedly picked up from her home by Maitland.

During cross-examination of Donaldson’s mother, Sophia Lugg, defence attorney Christopher Townsend questioned her about her daughter’s use of taxi services, including the number of companies she used and whether she had a regular driver.

“She used several?” Townsend asked.

“She used three,” Lugg responded, naming the companies.

Lugg acknowledged that her daughter regularly used a specific driver for transportation but admitted she did not provide that detail to the police.

The defence also highlighted that Donaldson actively promoted her business on Instagram, modelling swimwear and lingerie. Townsend asked whether Donaldson had ever expressed concern about receiving inappropriate messages or being stalked online.

“No sir,” Lugg replied repeatedly, denying that her daughter had mentioned any such experiences, even though she agreed they had a close relationship.

Further in the cross-examination, Lugg revealed that her daughter had her passport in her possession when she last left home with Maitland. She said Donaldson had the document “for reasons,” and noted that the young woman’s father, who resides in the Bahamas, had recently sent her money through a remittance agency.

The court also heard that Maitland allegedly told Lugg he had overheard a conversation between Donaldson and her father discussing the funds.

The defence attempted to introduce claims about Donaldson’s personal life, suggesting that she had suffered multiple miscarriages while trying to have a child with Maitland. Lugg firmly denied any knowledge of such matters.

“You are aware she’s had not one, not two, but three miscarriages,” Townsend asked.

“No sir, I’m not aware,” Lugg replied, offering a slight smirk.

The trial continues.