US citizen in charge of security for cigarette company in Haiti found stabbed to death

Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald on Aug 22, 2026

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Haitian police are investigating the killing of a U.S. citizen who headed security for one of Haiti’s largest and best known employers and was found stabbed to death inside his office Port-au-Prince.

Michael Gallagher, the head of security for Compagnie des Tabacs Comme Il Faut S.A., was found dead of stab wounds at the cigarette company after hours on Wednesday. Between 11 and 13 employees have been detained for questioning and spent the night in police lockup, the Miami Herald has learned.

The company confirmed Gallagher’s death in a statement on Friday, but did not say how he died.

“Over the years, he earned the esteem and affection of everyone through his professionalism, dedication and great kindness,” the company said. “His passing leaves a tremendous void within the Comme Il Faut family and represents a painful loss for all those who knew and appreciated him.”

The company said it was cooperating with the investigation into Gallagher’s death by Haiti’s judicial police.

“In order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we ask everyone to exercise patience and restraint and to await the conclusions of the appropriate authorities,” the company said.

No other details were provided. But people with knowledge of the incident said Gallagher’s body was discovered after friends became concerned when they had not heard from him. They initially feared that he had been kidnapped.

When his body was found, his wounds appeared to have been inflicted with a knife or machete.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed to the Herald that there was an American who died in Port-au-Prince, but did not confirm a name or provide any details.

“The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans,” the spokesperson said. “The U.S. Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance to the family. Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment at this time.”

Gallagher, 63, was married, and his siblings and dad have been unable to get any information from U.S. authorities, they say. He had worked for Comme Il Faut for 14 years, and was responsible for the company’s security operations, a particularly challenging job as the tobacco company and other businesses in the area have found themselves caught in the middle of recent clashes between armed groups vying for control of the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac and Cite Soleil.

People who knew Gallagher said he had confronted gangs on more than one occasion. They also said he used to relish telling stories about the CIA’s involvement in Haiti and as bodyguard with the Steele Foundation, a San Francisco-based security firm that was hired under a State Department-approved security arrangement to protect Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and manage his presidential protection unit up until his Feb. 29, 2004, ouster.

In its note, Comme Il Faut S.A. extended condolences to Gallagher’s family, loved ones and friends, saying the company shared “their grief during this painful ordeal.”