Maitland has case to answer in alleged murder of Donna-Lee Donaldson

This morning as Justice Leighton Pusey ruled that police constable Noel Maitland has a case to answer in the murder of his girlfriend, social media influencer Donna-Lee Donaldson, and for preventing the lawful burial of her body following her disappearance in July 2022.

The ruling came after both the prosecution and defence presented oral arguments on Thursday in the Home Circuit Court, following the close of the Crown's case. The defence is set to begin its case on Monday.

Donaldson, 24, an entrepreneur and online personality, was reported missing on July 13, 2022. Evidence presented during the trial, which began in May 2025 before a seven-member jury, included testimony from 36 witnesses. Among them was Donaldson's mother, who told the court that her daughter was last seen alive on July 11, 2022, when Maitland reportedly picked her up from her St Andrew home. She also testified that she spoke with her daughter on the morning of July 12.

In a police statement given on July 15, 2022, Maitland claimed that Donaldson left his Chelsea Manor apartment on the morning of July 12 after an argument over a photo of his child's mother and his threat to end their relationship. He said repeated calls to her phone went unanswered.

However, forensic evidence presented by a Government analyst last month confirmed that blood traces found on several items taken from Maitland's apartment in New Kingston matched Donaldson's DNA, intensifying the case against the constable.

The trial continues, with the defence expected to respond to the Crown's evidence next week.

- Tanesha Mundle

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