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By Matthew Impelli
Life & Trends Reporter
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Former President Donald Trump on Friday responded to the killings of two Americans in Haiti.
"God bless Davy and Natalie. Such a tragedy. Haiti is totally out of control. Find the killers NOW!!!" the former president wrote in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.
The post included a screenshot of a message shared by the Newton County Republican Central Committee in Missouri which shared condolences following the deaths of the two Americans, identified as Davy and Natalie Lloyd. Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri state Representative Ben Baker.
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"The forces of darkness go about seeking whom they may devour. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God," the committee's post read. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Newsweek reached out to Trump's spokesperson via email for comment.
The Context
On Friday, Baker, a Republican, shared a post to Facebook announcing that his daughter, Natalie Lloyd and her husband, Davy Lloyd, "were attacked by gangs" on Thursday evening in Haiti and "were both killed."
"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I've never felt this kind of pain. Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti," Baker's post reads. "...They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now."
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What We Know
According to CNN, the two worked for a group called Missions in Haiti, Inc.
The group's website states that the organization was founded by Davy's parents.
"Haiti is a nation that has been and is devastated by the powers of darkness. We are David and Alicia Lloyd. We started Missions in Haiti in 2000 with the purpose of setting Haiti on a different course. We aim to accomplish this by targeting the country's biggest need—its children," the website said, noting that they were excited to have Davy and Natalie joining them in Haiti after recently getting married.
A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek on Friday afternoon that "we are aware of the reports of the deaths of U.S. citizens in Haiti."
"We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment," the spokesperson added.
Haiti has recently been wracked by a wave of political instability and gang violence which led to Ariel Henry, the country's prime minister, to resign in late April as a transitional council was sworn in to take over. Gangs, meanwhile, are estimated to control 80 percent of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
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In 2023, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Haiti placing the nation in the "Do Not Travel" list.
"Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees," the U.S. State Department said at the time. "U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe."
Missouri Governor Mike Parson also responded to the deaths in a post on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, "Absolutely heartbreaking news. Teresa and I extend our deepest condolences to Rep. @BenBakerMO and Naomi and their family. We pray for Natalie and Davy's loved ones and that God bring them strength during this most difficult time."
Update, 5/24/24, 11:37 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with further information.
Update, 5/24/24, 12:10 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with further information.
Update 5/24/24, 12:31 p.m. and 12:39 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the U.S. State Department and additional information.
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