Maitland murder trial: Mother testifies Donna-Lee Donaldson left home with passport

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The mother of social media influencer and entrepreneur Donna-Lee Donaldson testified that her daughter left their St Andrew home with her passport on July 11, 2022—two days before she was reported missing.

Donaldson, 24, was last seen alive at the Chelsea Manor apartment of her boyfriend, Constable Noel Maitland. He is now on trial in the Home Circuit Court for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.

Under cross-examination from defence attorney Christopher Townsend, Donaldson’s mother, Sophia Lugg, said her daughter “had her reasons” for carrying the passport. She added that although investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) had questioned her about the travel document after her daughter’s disappearance, she was unable to produce it and told them it had been taken by Donaldson.

Lugg testified that the last time she heard from her daughter was on the morning of July 12, when Donaldson called around 8:00 a.m. and asked her to feed her dog, China. Multiple calls made afterward went unanswered. “Even now, I still call the number,” the visibly distressed mother told the court.

Earlier in the trial, Lugg also testified that around that same time, Donaldson’s father, who resides in the Bahamas, had sent her money through a remittance agency. According to Lugg, Maitland told her he had overheard a phone conversation between Donaldson and her father about the funds while she was at his apartment.

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During the proceedings, the defence suggested that someone other than Maitland—such as a taxi driver or stalker—may have been responsible for Donaldson’s disappearance. Townsend questioned Lugg about her daughter’s frequent use of taxi services. Lugg confirmed that her daughter used three different taxi companies and had a preferred driver, though she admitted she never told police about him. Lugg also shared that Donaldson, who ran a swimwear business, made deliveries two to three times per week.

The defence pressed further, pointing to Donaldson’s Instagram activity. Townsend asked if Lugg was aware that her daughter had posted photos and videos modelling swimwear and lingerie to promote her brand. Lugg said she was. When asked whether Donaldson had ever complained about receiving inappropriate sexual comments or being stalked online, Lugg firmly responded, “No, sir.”

The defence also asked Lugg whether she knew about reports that Donaldson had tried to conceive a child with Maitland and had suffered three miscarriages. Lugg denied any knowledge of such claims, responding, “No, sir, I’m not aware,” with a smirk.

Donna-Lee Donaldson was reported missing on July 13, 2022. Her body has never been found.

The trial continues.