We have some Christmas palms ( I think maybe they are some other kind ) the tops started drooping and fell off, I smelled the fallen top and PU it stank! We are unsure if they are being over watered or fertilized as they are on condo property and one tenant takes it upon herself to " take care of the plants". We have been in a drought for several months, and she wants to water everything that looks brown and wilted.
Looks like some sort of borer type insect might have got into them. Seems unlikely a rot (fungus) would start up that high on the trunk without something making an initial opening for it to get in.
The Cooperative Extension Service at UVI could probably give you an accurate diagnosis on this. Looks like most of the horticultural activity takes place on the St. Croix campus but they might have someone on St. Thomas who could take a look for you. If that was not possible You could certainly contact them and send the same photos.
http://uvi.edu/community/cooperative-extension-service/agriculture-and-natural-resources/urban-gardening.aspx
Good luck.
We have (in Thailand) lots of palms dying. Even in North Spain where I were a couple of weeks ago. I think it's caused by the Rinocerus Beetle
Looks although can't really see detail good enough from pictures could be thielaviopsis trunk rot, Ganoderma bud rot
I left a web site for you to go and reference palm diseases
Jan
