STREET. JOHN’S, Antigua — Antigua police on Saturday charged a man with murder for stabbing a controversial member of parliament at his seaside home this week.

Police on the small Caribbean island charged Alexta Francis, 26, two days after the landscaper was arrested and questioned over the murder of Asot Michael. Francisco was due to make his first court appearance on Monday.

Authorities said Francisco did not yet have legal representation and it was not immediately clear where he was being held Saturday.

In a statement, Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney praised investigators “for their diligence and professionalism in handling the matter.” He later told The Associated Press that police had no plans to reveal the motive but would allow it to be revealed in court.

Michael, 54, was an independent Member of Parliament and a wealthy businessman who rose through the ranks of Antigua and Barbuda’s ruling Labor Party to become a minister. Although he was well known for being a philanthropist among his electorate, he was also banned from running as the party’s candidate after several controversies, including an international bribery scandal in which he has denied any wrongdoing.

He successfully ran as an independent in the 2023 election to retain his seat in parliament.

Michael was found dead on Tuesday in his home on the west coast of Antigua when a housekeeper showed up for work and discovered his body with multiple stab wounds.

It was the first time such a crime was committed against an MP in the twin island state.

On Thursday, the government announced it would seek help from London’s Metropolitan Police to investigate the notorious murder. As a former British colony, the nation still has strong ties to Britain and has in the past called on London police for help in high-profile cases.

While their help will no longer be needed on Michael’s case, Rodney said they plan to use their expertise on other unsolved cases.