The naked body of fashion designer Jeff Johnson, also known as Jeff St. John, was found in a Collins Avenue home that was set afire early yesterday morning.

Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said the Johnson, 64, had severe injuries to the face. However, his body was not burned.

Rolle said firefighters discovered Johnson's body in a bathtub, after they extinguished the blaze.

Rolle said police are treating the case as a homicide.

"It seems as though persons may have broken into the residence in order to gain entrance," Rolle said. "We do appeal for persons who have information to reach out to us."

Rolle said it is unclear whether the intruders set the house on fire to cover up the crime. However, he noted that it is a possibility, adding that the fire was not accidental.

"Obviously the house was set on fire," he said.

"...What is significant and important is that the fact that this individual had injuries to the face and obviously we need to have an autopsy to determine the cause of death," Rolle said.

Johnson's long time friend, Elaine Pinder, said she was shocked to learn of his death.

"It was just disbelief. I just could not believe that a person like Jeff who was so full of life and so creative, something like that could possibly happen. I was just in disbelief," she said.

Pinder said Johnson was a fashion icon, who was just beginning to plan for his next big fashion show.

"Jeff was just the best at his calling, the work that he did," she said.

"Jeff loved everyone and he was so suave the way he dressed. He cared mostly about Bahamian women, and the way they dressed and the way they looked. Even nowadays, even though he sort of didn't do anything for a while, Jeff wanted to put on a fabulous fashion show. He was just talking to me about this fashion show last week, with a young man from New york by the name of Willy ... But yeah, Jeff, he never got out of the business."

Pinder said Johnson's biggest disappointment was that designers, particularly male designers aren't really recognized in The Bahamas.

"That's something he really fought for," she added.

Johnson made a name for himself in the local fashion industry and was often commended for his original and vibrant pieces. He was reportedly the only Bahamian designer to receive a seal of excellence award at Islands of the World Fashion Week's debut in November 2008.

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