Colleagues of Judiann Myles have paid tribute to a “vibrant, compassionate” person who they described as a key figure in the Cayman Islands’ fight against money laundering.
Myles, the head of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority’s Anti-Money Laundering Division, was found dead inside a burning vehicle in Bodden Town on Thursday, 3 April.
Police formally identified Myles as the victim on Sunday, but have not said how she died or revealed any details about the nature of their investigation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, CIMA said it was with “profound sadness” that its staff reflected on the passing of their “colleague and beloved friend”.
The authority noted that for more than 25 years, Myles had been a highly valued member of CIMA.
“She was a vibrant, compassionate individual whose warmth, kindness, and unwavering commitment left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with her. Her passing is a significant loss to the CIMA family and the wider regulatory community,” it said.
CIMA career
During her career at CIMA, the authority said, she worked in four key divisions, beginning in 1999 in the Investments Supervision Division, before transitioning to the Policy and
Development Division, where she served as chief policy and development officer and later as deputy head.
Myles also served as deputy head of the Compliance Division for four years and, most
recently, was appointed head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Division on 1 June 2024. In that division, CIMA said, “she also played a critical role in the formation and development of the division’s strategy, having served as Deputy Head previously”.
She helped strengthen CIMA’s regulatory framework, and was “instrumental in shaping regulatory policies, fostering engagement with industry stakeholders, and ensuring that the Authority remained responsive to both domestic and international financial regulatory changes”.
The authority noted that Myles was highly respected by her peers in the regional
and international financial community, and as co-chair of the Financial Action Task Force Joint Group of the Americas, had represented the Cayman Islands and the region “with grace, professionalism, and integrity”.
It added, “Her vast knowledge, collaborative approach, and leadership were unmatched. Judiann was also a generous mentor to many in the field, always willing to share her
expertise, offer guidance, and invest time in the growth and development of others, especially young professionals.
“On behalf of the entire Authority, we extend our deepest condolences to Judiann’s family and loved ones. May they find strength, comfort, and peace in the legacy she leaves behind. Judiann will be greatly missed, but her memory will forever live on in our hearts.”
