Jamie Cockayne Tribute

A Bucks County man who moved to the Virgin Islands to work as a boat captain and live a peaceful life instead had his life cut short by a senseless murder.

The tragic loss has his family and friends searching for answers.

The murder of 21-year-old James (Jamie) Cockayne mystifies authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and his community back home in New Hope, Pa.

"It''s very scary, it''s very creepy," the victim''s friend Dann Dechellis said.

Cockayne, a 2005 graduate of New Hope Solebury High School, was stabbed to death outside a bar in the Virgin Islands last week.

"His death just really affects so many people in this town because he connected with so many people on such a personal level," friend Sam Strzelec said.

Jamie recently moved to St. John preparing to work at a Virgin Island yacht club.

Only hours before his death, an eyewitness reportedly saw Jamie arguing in a bar with another man.

"No one really knows what happened, how it went down or anything but I just hope they find whoever is responsible," Strzelec said.

With Jamie''s killer still on the loose, the victim''s parents are pleading for help.

In a letter printed in the St. John''s newspaper, they wrote: "Our son did not deserve to die such a horrible, violent death, and we implore you to help us in identifying his killer and bringing him to justice."

Authorities do not have any murder weapon or any suspects.