By Esther Jacinthe, O-news, Sept. 12, 2026
Missing since the attack on the ITECA center in Gressier on August 20, Willard Vancol, coordinator of the institution and director of the community radio station "Ti Boukan FM," has been found dead. His body was discovered in a wooded area near the center, plunging the community into shock.
On September 9, 2026, officers of the Haitian National Police discovered his body in a forest near the training center of the Institute of Technology and Animation (ITECA) in Gressier. According to information reported by PhilAyiti Media, the body of the head of "Ti Boukan FM" was found mutilated.
Vancol disappeared on August 20th when armed gangs attacked and ransacked the ITECA facilities. The gunmen took him with them that day, and his family and friends have had no news of him since. His disappearance had fueled hopes of his possible return, until the grim discovery of his body. His death has sent shockwaves through his colleagues, loved ones, and the organizations he worked with.
ITECA, along with the Society for Animation and Social Communication (SAKS), expressed their anger and outrage at this tragic loss. Both organizations describe Willard Vancol as a remarkable citizen and a prominent figure in community radio in Haiti. His assassination serves as yet another stark reminder of the heavy toll paid by community activists and media professionals in areas controlled or threatened by gangs.
Posted Sept. 21, 2026