Yet another father turned family annihilator. This one is identified as LENNOX LA CRUZ.
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/32638988-13cd-4209-9bdc-061e3dc30b01.aspx
Guyana man kills wife, four children in fire
March 16, 2014
GEORGETOWN: A man in the South American country of Guyana has being held on suspicion of killing his wife and four of his five children by locking them inside their home and setting it on fire, police said on Saturday.
Businessman Lennox La Cruz, 50, was arrested in the northwest region of Port Kaituma near Venezuela, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Police said they were alerted to the incident by a fifth child, a 12-year-old girl, who went to a police station and told officers that her parents were arguing and that her father was threatening to burn down their home.
Police said that when they arrived at the house, it was already on fire and that they couldn't enter because of a locked iron door.
Authorities said police officers and nearby residents formed a bucket brigade but were unable to put out the fire.
The victims were identified as Lurlene La Cruz, 39, her two daughters, ages 14 and 3, and two sons, ages 8 and 1.
The killings occurred late on Friday in a farming and gold mining community where La Cruz was well known.
Showing posts with label Guyana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guyana. Show all posts
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Monday, September 24, 2012
Abusive dad suspect in murder of 17-month-old son, 6-year-old stepson, their mother (Demerara, Guyana)
The murdered mother did not "share" an abusive "relationship" with her alleged murderer. She was trapped by an abuser turned killer. She tried to break off with him, but like many control freaks, he was having none of it. So he "allegedly" not only killed mom, but his son and stepson too. Slit their throats in cold blood And yet stupid people still ask why women don't leave these vicious criminals....
Dad is identified only as RUDOLPH.
http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2012/09/24/mother-two-young-sons-found-murdered/
Mother, two young sons found murdered
September 24, 2012
By admin −
23-year-old boyfriend is main suspect
By Bhisham Mohamed
An Anna Catherina businesswoman and her two sons were on Saturday evening found with their throats slit in a bedroom of their two-storey, West Coast Demerara house.
The gruesome discovery was made about 18:30 by the dead woman’s nephew. The businesswoman was identified as Jennifer Persaud, 41, also called “Jenny”, while her two sons were identified as six-year-old Afridi Bacchus, and 17-month old Jadon Persaud, all of Lot 67 Sea View, Anna Catherina. The woman and her elder son were found on her bed while her younger son was found a few feet away.
According to information, the woman’s reputed husband, Rudolph (only name given) was subsequently taken into police custody as the main suspect, but he is maintaining his innocence. Afridi is the woman’s son from another relationship while the younger child was fathered by the main suspect. Guyana Times understands that the now dead woman shared an abusive relationship with Rudolph, who was reportedly deported from the United States a few years ago. Based on reports gathered, as a result of the constant physical abuse Persaud received from her young boyfriend, she would normally complain to relatives, but just over a week ago, it became unbearable and she put him out of her house. He was not seen in the area for the past five days, but minutes after the discovery, he calmly walked into the yard and enquired what was happening after claiming that he saw a huge crowd.
Relatives suggested that the person who might have committed the murder had access to the house since they believed it was an inside job because there were no signs of forced entry into the huge house, and believe that the woman and her children might have been killed in the wee hours of Saturday.
At the woman’s house on Sunday morning, her four daughters and other relatives were seen sitting disconsolately contemplating their next move. The house was cordoned off by police ranks using yellow crime scene tapes.
A sister of the dead woman recounted that on Saturday morning, her son went to the dead woman’s shop to get some chicken, but it was closed. She said after repeatedly calling for the woman and hearing no response, her son left the premise.
“He called me and tell me that the shop close and no answer. I thought this was unusual because my sister normally open very early for business,” she noted. She said that her son told her that he was going to the barber shop and left the premises. The distraught woman further stated that her first thought was that her sister might have gone out; out of curiosity, she called her sister’s landline telephone but there were no answer.
She said that a few minutes later, her sickly mother telephoned her complaining of not getting through to Jenny and thought that something was amiss. The only remaining sibling said that she promised to visit her sister’s place as soon as her son returned from the barber shop. After a while, her son returned and she, along with other relatives, went to the businesswoman’s place to again find the place locked. At this point in time, relatives became suspicious which prompted the nephew to scale the fence, climb on to a shed and open one of the woman’s bedroom windows. When he jumped into the house, he was greeted by the bloody bodies of the woman and her six-year-old son on the bed. The toddler was found close to the bed in a corner, the sister added.
“My son screamed and with the scream alone, I know something wrong. He tell we to call the police and so we did,” the tearful woman stated. “Within minutes, the police come and cordoned off the place,” she added. She also recalled that about a week ago, her sister received a sound beating from her reputed husband and had decided that she will end the relationship, claiming that she has had enough.
The eldest daughter of the deceased, Amada Ahamad, who was composed, stated that her mother and her stepfather shared a relationship for more than two and a half years and every day they would be at logger-heads. She said that after the last beating, her mother put the main suspect out of the house and later told him that their relationship was over. While, she does not want to speculate, she thinks that being the only other person with keys to the property, her stepfather may have committed the gruesome act. “Based on wah we hear, my mother closed the shop at around 11 o’ clock Friday, so whoever killed them did it after that time,” she added.
Ahamad further stated that the police found two bags of clothes belonging to the man’s son, which suggested that he was contemplating absconding with his son. “We don’t know which man will look at his baby and slit his throat,” she cried. After the discovery, she noted that her stepfather appeared on the scene as if he was unaware of what happened.
“He calmly walked into the yard and enquired the reason for the huge crowd, but no time did he appear to be surprised… he did not break down.” Relatives are hoping that the main suspect will be grilled extensively, so that the truth will be revealed. The woman leaves to mourn her mother, four daughters, and one sister. The remains of the three deceased were taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to await post-mortem examinations today.
Dad is identified only as RUDOLPH.
http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2012/09/24/mother-two-young-sons-found-murdered/
Mother, two young sons found murdered
September 24, 2012
By admin −
23-year-old boyfriend is main suspect
By Bhisham Mohamed
An Anna Catherina businesswoman and her two sons were on Saturday evening found with their throats slit in a bedroom of their two-storey, West Coast Demerara house.
The gruesome discovery was made about 18:30 by the dead woman’s nephew. The businesswoman was identified as Jennifer Persaud, 41, also called “Jenny”, while her two sons were identified as six-year-old Afridi Bacchus, and 17-month old Jadon Persaud, all of Lot 67 Sea View, Anna Catherina. The woman and her elder son were found on her bed while her younger son was found a few feet away.
According to information, the woman’s reputed husband, Rudolph (only name given) was subsequently taken into police custody as the main suspect, but he is maintaining his innocence. Afridi is the woman’s son from another relationship while the younger child was fathered by the main suspect. Guyana Times understands that the now dead woman shared an abusive relationship with Rudolph, who was reportedly deported from the United States a few years ago. Based on reports gathered, as a result of the constant physical abuse Persaud received from her young boyfriend, she would normally complain to relatives, but just over a week ago, it became unbearable and she put him out of her house. He was not seen in the area for the past five days, but minutes after the discovery, he calmly walked into the yard and enquired what was happening after claiming that he saw a huge crowd.
Relatives suggested that the person who might have committed the murder had access to the house since they believed it was an inside job because there were no signs of forced entry into the huge house, and believe that the woman and her children might have been killed in the wee hours of Saturday.
At the woman’s house on Sunday morning, her four daughters and other relatives were seen sitting disconsolately contemplating their next move. The house was cordoned off by police ranks using yellow crime scene tapes.
A sister of the dead woman recounted that on Saturday morning, her son went to the dead woman’s shop to get some chicken, but it was closed. She said after repeatedly calling for the woman and hearing no response, her son left the premise.
“He called me and tell me that the shop close and no answer. I thought this was unusual because my sister normally open very early for business,” she noted. She said that her son told her that he was going to the barber shop and left the premises. The distraught woman further stated that her first thought was that her sister might have gone out; out of curiosity, she called her sister’s landline telephone but there were no answer.
She said that a few minutes later, her sickly mother telephoned her complaining of not getting through to Jenny and thought that something was amiss. The only remaining sibling said that she promised to visit her sister’s place as soon as her son returned from the barber shop. After a while, her son returned and she, along with other relatives, went to the businesswoman’s place to again find the place locked. At this point in time, relatives became suspicious which prompted the nephew to scale the fence, climb on to a shed and open one of the woman’s bedroom windows. When he jumped into the house, he was greeted by the bloody bodies of the woman and her six-year-old son on the bed. The toddler was found close to the bed in a corner, the sister added.
“My son screamed and with the scream alone, I know something wrong. He tell we to call the police and so we did,” the tearful woman stated. “Within minutes, the police come and cordoned off the place,” she added. She also recalled that about a week ago, her sister received a sound beating from her reputed husband and had decided that she will end the relationship, claiming that she has had enough.
The eldest daughter of the deceased, Amada Ahamad, who was composed, stated that her mother and her stepfather shared a relationship for more than two and a half years and every day they would be at logger-heads. She said that after the last beating, her mother put the main suspect out of the house and later told him that their relationship was over. While, she does not want to speculate, she thinks that being the only other person with keys to the property, her stepfather may have committed the gruesome act. “Based on wah we hear, my mother closed the shop at around 11 o’ clock Friday, so whoever killed them did it after that time,” she added.
Ahamad further stated that the police found two bags of clothes belonging to the man’s son, which suggested that he was contemplating absconding with his son. “We don’t know which man will look at his baby and slit his throat,” she cried. After the discovery, she noted that her stepfather appeared on the scene as if he was unaware of what happened.
“He calmly walked into the yard and enquired the reason for the huge crowd, but no time did he appear to be surprised… he did not break down.” Relatives are hoping that the main suspect will be grilled extensively, so that the truth will be revealed. The woman leaves to mourn her mother, four daughters, and one sister. The remains of the three deceased were taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to await post-mortem examinations today.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Third child dies in hacking attack; dad admits crime (Guyana)
We've reported on this case before. Classic control freak, violent father. Dad JOHN BLANCHARD literally hacked these kids to death because he was mad: Mom worked out of town and (presumably) wouldn't come home, see. Well, at least that's Daddy's cover story. And it gets even crazier from there....
http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/Latest/2011/10/15/third-child-in-soesdyke-hacking-dies.html
Third child in Soesdyke hacking dies
Written by Demerara Waves
Saturday, 15 October 2011 13:43
The third child in this week’s horrific Soesdyke chopping incident has died of her wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted in a critical condition on Tuesday.
The hospital in a release Saturday said Joy Blanchard, 7, of 46 Princess Street, Wortmanville succumbed to her injuries around 00:10h in the Intensive Care Unit the same day.
Her siblings Belika Blanchard, 9, and Daniel Blanchard, 5, were allegedly killed by their father John Blanchard, 31 Tuesday.
The children were allegedly fatally chopped about their bodies by Blanchard at their Soesdyke home. Police believe that the man engaged in a pre-meditated act, having admitted to telling investigators that he had threatened to commit the act.
He had also said that he had called relatives, telling them what he had done.
He was Friday charged with the murders of Belika and Daniel and remanded to prison until November 1 by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The man, a boiled-corn vendor, told investigators that his wife left their home at Dr. Charles New Housing Scheme, Soesdyke to work in Mahdia.
Police Chief of Criminal Investigations, Assistant Commissioner, Seelall Persaud said the man has so far told investigators that he had made a few calls to her but she refused to return home.
John Blanchard recounted to investigators that when he told his wife that he would kill the children, she gave him the green-light to do so, Persaud told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Persaud said they want to contact the wife, Onicka Blanchard, to ascertain to cross-reference his version of the disagreement, the motives and whether they had experienced economic difficulties.
http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/Latest/2011/10/15/third-child-in-soesdyke-hacking-dies.html
Third child in Soesdyke hacking dies
Written by Demerara Waves
Saturday, 15 October 2011 13:43
The third child in this week’s horrific Soesdyke chopping incident has died of her wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted in a critical condition on Tuesday.
The hospital in a release Saturday said Joy Blanchard, 7, of 46 Princess Street, Wortmanville succumbed to her injuries around 00:10h in the Intensive Care Unit the same day.
Her siblings Belika Blanchard, 9, and Daniel Blanchard, 5, were allegedly killed by their father John Blanchard, 31 Tuesday.
The children were allegedly fatally chopped about their bodies by Blanchard at their Soesdyke home. Police believe that the man engaged in a pre-meditated act, having admitted to telling investigators that he had threatened to commit the act.
He had also said that he had called relatives, telling them what he had done.
He was Friday charged with the murders of Belika and Daniel and remanded to prison until November 1 by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The man, a boiled-corn vendor, told investigators that his wife left their home at Dr. Charles New Housing Scheme, Soesdyke to work in Mahdia.
Police Chief of Criminal Investigations, Assistant Commissioner, Seelall Persaud said the man has so far told investigators that he had made a few calls to her but she refused to return home.
John Blanchard recounted to investigators that when he told his wife that he would kill the children, she gave him the green-light to do so, Persaud told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Persaud said they want to contact the wife, Onicka Blanchard, to ascertain to cross-reference his version of the disagreement, the motives and whether they had experienced economic difficulties.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Dad hacks two kids to death, police searching for mother (Guyana)
Another "caretaker" dad story--but this time from Guyana. While Mom is working (and living?) in another town, dad JOHN BLANCHARD hacks two of the kids to death (another one is still hospitalized). Sounds like Mom was afraid to come home. I'm guessing domestic violence based on the subsequent events. So Daddy decided to control/punish Mom by stripping her of her kids forever.
Daddy's story is such bullsh** that it scarcely deserves telling. Mom gave him the "green light" to kill her children? Really? And Daddy has no will of his own? That is totally ridiculous.
Far more likely: Daddy just occupying his own self-serving fantasy world. A world in which he was justified in murdering these poor children because the EVIL MOTHER wished or commanded it (by rejecting Daddy). Or that he's just a clever tale spinner (i.e. manipulative sociopath), and thinks that this effort to muddy the waters will somehow work out for him.
http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/Latest/2011/10/12/father-hacks-two-children-to-death-police-searching-for-mother.html
Father hacks two children to death, police searching for mother
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 08:36
As a seven-year old child on Wednesday remained hooked up on life-support after she and her two siblings were brutally chopped by their father, police were trying to contact their mother who left to work in Mahdia.
Dead are nine-year old Bolica Blanchard and five year old Daniel Blanchard. Their father, John Blanchard, was arrested after he called relatives and told them that he had hacked his children. Still in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital is Joy Blanchard.
The man, a boiled-corn vendor, told investigators that his wife left their home at Dr. Charles New Housing Scheme, Soesdyke to work in Mahdia.
Police Chief of Criminal Investigations, Assistant Commissioner, Seelall Persaud said the man has so far told investigators that he had made a few calls to her but she refused to return home.
John Blanchard recounted to investigators that when he told his wife that he would kill the children, she gave him the green-light to do so, Persaud told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Crime scene detectives recovered two knives from the scene and arrested Blanchard who could be charged by Friday after autopsies are conducted.
The Police Chief of Criminal Investigations say they want to contact the wife, Onicka Blanchard, to ascertain to cross-reference his version of the disagreement, the motives and whether they had experienced economic difficulties.
Daddy's story is such bullsh** that it scarcely deserves telling. Mom gave him the "green light" to kill her children? Really? And Daddy has no will of his own? That is totally ridiculous.
Far more likely: Daddy just occupying his own self-serving fantasy world. A world in which he was justified in murdering these poor children because the EVIL MOTHER wished or commanded it (by rejecting Daddy). Or that he's just a clever tale spinner (i.e. manipulative sociopath), and thinks that this effort to muddy the waters will somehow work out for him.
http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/Latest/2011/10/12/father-hacks-two-children-to-death-police-searching-for-mother.html
Father hacks two children to death, police searching for mother
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 08:36
As a seven-year old child on Wednesday remained hooked up on life-support after she and her two siblings were brutally chopped by their father, police were trying to contact their mother who left to work in Mahdia.
Dead are nine-year old Bolica Blanchard and five year old Daniel Blanchard. Their father, John Blanchard, was arrested after he called relatives and told them that he had hacked his children. Still in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital is Joy Blanchard.
The man, a boiled-corn vendor, told investigators that his wife left their home at Dr. Charles New Housing Scheme, Soesdyke to work in Mahdia.
Police Chief of Criminal Investigations, Assistant Commissioner, Seelall Persaud said the man has so far told investigators that he had made a few calls to her but she refused to return home.
John Blanchard recounted to investigators that when he told his wife that he would kill the children, she gave him the green-light to do so, Persaud told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Crime scene detectives recovered two knives from the scene and arrested Blanchard who could be charged by Friday after autopsies are conducted.
The Police Chief of Criminal Investigations say they want to contact the wife, Onicka Blanchard, to ascertain to cross-reference his version of the disagreement, the motives and whether they had experienced economic difficulties.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Children poisoned by father six years ago "move on" after murder of mother (Plegtanker, Guyana)
I'm not sure you truly "move on" after your father KHEMRAJ MOHAN murders your mother and you and your 3 siblings survive Daddy's attempt to poison you. But these kids are trying.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/stories/07/27/poisoned-plegtanker-children-put-ordeal-behind-them/
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Poisoned Plegtanker children put ordeal behind them
By Stabroek staff July 27, 2010 in Local News
Four children of Plegtanker, East Bank Berbice who survived after being poisoned by their father six years ago, have moved on and put the ordeal behind them.
On that fateful night, their father Khemraj Mohan murdered their mother, Sabrina Fredricks and after feeding them Ovaltine laced with poison, he took his own life.
Kumeshwar ‘Mike’ Mohan, 18, who was 12 years old at the time and his siblings; Mohanie, Savita, and Amit who are now 16, 11 and ten years old have vague recollections of what transpired on that fateful night.
Another sibling, Sharda, was spending the night at an aunt’s house at the time of the incident and was spared the nightmare. They are still in the care of their paternal grandmother, Rajmonie Tomby, 68.
The incident followed quarrels Mohan had with his wife over the long periods she was away from home, leaving him to take care of the children while tending to his farm.
Fredricks had claimed that she was sick and had to seek treatment in Suriname and Georgetown but Mohan never knew for sure if that was the case, according to Rajmonie, who lived a few doors away.
She is still haunted by what happened to her son and daughter-in-law and the fact that she almost lost her four grandchildren.
The woman told Stabroek News that it was hard for her to put the memories of that horrible tragedy behind. “Ah does remember all the time; when I see dese pickney ah must remember…”
She does not go to the small shack where her son lived with his family and where the incident took place though because “me does just imagine he in front of me…”
Rajmonie who took the children in her care just after they were discharged from hospital had vowed since then never to separate them even if she could only afford to provide them with just “salt and rice”.
In tears she told this newspaper, “me mind them from small and me tek oath that me would look after them how long me live.”
According to her, bringing up the children was a struggle “but whatever ah get me does give dem; dem very contented. I always make sure that at mealtime dem must get something to eat; me don’t left dem mouth dry…”
The woman said the children are quiet and mannerly and that they attend the mandir with her every Sunday.
Old age pension
She depends on her old age pension to provide for her grandchildren and also receives public assistance for the two smaller children – Savita and Amit who attends the Plegtanker Primary School.
Savita recently wrote the National Grade Six Assessment examination and has secured a place at the Berbice Educational Institute in New Amsterdam.
She would be the first of her siblings to attend a school out of the area and Rajmonie said she would try her best to get the $1,200 per week for transportation to send her.
She also plans to prepare lunch for the child daily and would give her a little “pocket-piece” when she can afford it.
The woman was looking forward to uplifting the $1,500 voucher that the government was issuing for each child to purchase some of their school gear.
Savita would have to travel a distance of ten miles to get to school.
But that journey would take her some three hours because of the deplorable condition of the road.
The three older siblings also attended the Plegtanker Primary, which has a secondary department up to fourth form and Kumeshwar completed up to that level, while Mohanie attended up to third form and Sharda dropped out in form two.
Kumeshwar said he was doing well at school and wished he had the opportunity to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination. His dream is to see Savita and Amit complete high school.
The two older girls would have loved to be involved in skill enhancement but said it is not available in their area.
They are assisting their grandmother at home with the cooking and cleaning while Kumeshwar went a few times with residents in the backdam to hunt.
He earned a little money from that and saved some of it to invest in cash crop farming on a small plot of land in March.
He was “caring” his garden and was eagerly looking forward to reaping his produce for the first time. Sadly, two months later the garden was flooded after a heavy rainfall and he lost his crop and now has to “start all over again.”
He told this newspaper that he was very grateful for what his grandmother, whom he and his siblings fondly refer to as “mama,” has done for them and wants to start earning so he can help to make life easy for her.
The children said that life in the “bush” is dull and that they were no longer enjoying the little entertainment they were getting from a small “black and white” television because it had stopped working.
They long for another television so they can follow the news and other interesting programmes and even a DVD player but their grandmother cannot afford it.
The area does not have electricity but Rajmonie said she would get power from a used car battery that she has to recharge often.
The woman said she and the children live in a big house, but it is very old and run down and badly needs repairing.
Sad news
She said she was at home when she got the sad news six years ago that her son had committed suicide and she started wailing. It was only when she got to the scene that she learnt that he had also murdered his wife and screamed even more.
As if that were not enough, she found out after the bodies were taken away by the police that her grandchildren had been poisoned.
She recalled that after the police left she had taken the children over to her house. A relative then decided to search the house and discovered the four cups with traces of greenish substance and realized that the children had been poisoned.
“When me hear that was gramoxone they drink, me sit flat on the floor and holler like me mad. Me thought me woulda lose all a dem. Look how much coffin me woulda had to find,” she said.
She composed herself after being consoled and told that “two dead already and me have to stand up strong fuh me grandchildren.”
She was also worried about finding a vehicle to take them to the hospital. Luckily, the owner of a jeep who was supposed to have transported his produce to the New Amsterdam market did not go that day and he rushed with the children.
Rajmonie said they spent about one week in hospital but she became so sick after the ordeal that she was unable to visit them. An aunt was there with them during that time.
The woman lamented that she never expected that her son would have done something like that because he was always a quiet person.
She also recalled that he worked hard on his farm; never talked about his problems and hardly consumed alcohol.
Kumeshwar had told this newspaper that his parents had started quarrelling shortly after his mother returned home from New Amsterdam that afternoon and said she had to leave again the next morning.
He and his siblings went to bed and left them quarrelling. They were asleep when their father woke them up and ordered them to drink the Ovaltine but they did not know that he had mixed it with poison.
He had said too that his father also told him that he had killed their mother and would hang himself and gave the boy a ring to give it to his (Khemraj’s) sister. He then told them to go back to sleep.
The next morning the children woke up with their stomachs burning and started to vomit.
Kumeshwar first discovered the lifeless bodies of his parents under the house.
His father, dressed only in his underwear, was hanging from a rope while the remains of his mother bore what appeared to be stab wounds.
He immediately ran over to his aunt’s house to give her the ring and the news that his parents were dead.
When this newspaper met the children about one year after the incident they appeared to be still hunted by the ordeal.
At that time Kumeshwar provided information about what happened but this time he said, “me don’t worry about that anymore; me done forget about that.”
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/stories/07/27/poisoned-plegtanker-children-put-ordeal-behind-them/
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Poisoned Plegtanker children put ordeal behind them
By Stabroek staff July 27, 2010 in Local News
Four children of Plegtanker, East Bank Berbice who survived after being poisoned by their father six years ago, have moved on and put the ordeal behind them.
On that fateful night, their father Khemraj Mohan murdered their mother, Sabrina Fredricks and after feeding them Ovaltine laced with poison, he took his own life.
Kumeshwar ‘Mike’ Mohan, 18, who was 12 years old at the time and his siblings; Mohanie, Savita, and Amit who are now 16, 11 and ten years old have vague recollections of what transpired on that fateful night.
Another sibling, Sharda, was spending the night at an aunt’s house at the time of the incident and was spared the nightmare. They are still in the care of their paternal grandmother, Rajmonie Tomby, 68.
The incident followed quarrels Mohan had with his wife over the long periods she was away from home, leaving him to take care of the children while tending to his farm.
Fredricks had claimed that she was sick and had to seek treatment in Suriname and Georgetown but Mohan never knew for sure if that was the case, according to Rajmonie, who lived a few doors away.
She is still haunted by what happened to her son and daughter-in-law and the fact that she almost lost her four grandchildren.
The woman told Stabroek News that it was hard for her to put the memories of that horrible tragedy behind. “Ah does remember all the time; when I see dese pickney ah must remember…”
She does not go to the small shack where her son lived with his family and where the incident took place though because “me does just imagine he in front of me…”
Rajmonie who took the children in her care just after they were discharged from hospital had vowed since then never to separate them even if she could only afford to provide them with just “salt and rice”.
In tears she told this newspaper, “me mind them from small and me tek oath that me would look after them how long me live.”
According to her, bringing up the children was a struggle “but whatever ah get me does give dem; dem very contented. I always make sure that at mealtime dem must get something to eat; me don’t left dem mouth dry…”
The woman said the children are quiet and mannerly and that they attend the mandir with her every Sunday.
Old age pension
She depends on her old age pension to provide for her grandchildren and also receives public assistance for the two smaller children – Savita and Amit who attends the Plegtanker Primary School.
Savita recently wrote the National Grade Six Assessment examination and has secured a place at the Berbice Educational Institute in New Amsterdam.
She would be the first of her siblings to attend a school out of the area and Rajmonie said she would try her best to get the $1,200 per week for transportation to send her.
She also plans to prepare lunch for the child daily and would give her a little “pocket-piece” when she can afford it.
The woman was looking forward to uplifting the $1,500 voucher that the government was issuing for each child to purchase some of their school gear.
Savita would have to travel a distance of ten miles to get to school.
But that journey would take her some three hours because of the deplorable condition of the road.
The three older siblings also attended the Plegtanker Primary, which has a secondary department up to fourth form and Kumeshwar completed up to that level, while Mohanie attended up to third form and Sharda dropped out in form two.
Kumeshwar said he was doing well at school and wished he had the opportunity to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination. His dream is to see Savita and Amit complete high school.
The two older girls would have loved to be involved in skill enhancement but said it is not available in their area.
They are assisting their grandmother at home with the cooking and cleaning while Kumeshwar went a few times with residents in the backdam to hunt.
He earned a little money from that and saved some of it to invest in cash crop farming on a small plot of land in March.
He was “caring” his garden and was eagerly looking forward to reaping his produce for the first time. Sadly, two months later the garden was flooded after a heavy rainfall and he lost his crop and now has to “start all over again.”
He told this newspaper that he was very grateful for what his grandmother, whom he and his siblings fondly refer to as “mama,” has done for them and wants to start earning so he can help to make life easy for her.
The children said that life in the “bush” is dull and that they were no longer enjoying the little entertainment they were getting from a small “black and white” television because it had stopped working.
They long for another television so they can follow the news and other interesting programmes and even a DVD player but their grandmother cannot afford it.
The area does not have electricity but Rajmonie said she would get power from a used car battery that she has to recharge often.
The woman said she and the children live in a big house, but it is very old and run down and badly needs repairing.
Sad news
She said she was at home when she got the sad news six years ago that her son had committed suicide and she started wailing. It was only when she got to the scene that she learnt that he had also murdered his wife and screamed even more.
As if that were not enough, she found out after the bodies were taken away by the police that her grandchildren had been poisoned.
She recalled that after the police left she had taken the children over to her house. A relative then decided to search the house and discovered the four cups with traces of greenish substance and realized that the children had been poisoned.
“When me hear that was gramoxone they drink, me sit flat on the floor and holler like me mad. Me thought me woulda lose all a dem. Look how much coffin me woulda had to find,” she said.
She composed herself after being consoled and told that “two dead already and me have to stand up strong fuh me grandchildren.”
She was also worried about finding a vehicle to take them to the hospital. Luckily, the owner of a jeep who was supposed to have transported his produce to the New Amsterdam market did not go that day and he rushed with the children.
Rajmonie said they spent about one week in hospital but she became so sick after the ordeal that she was unable to visit them. An aunt was there with them during that time.
The woman lamented that she never expected that her son would have done something like that because he was always a quiet person.
She also recalled that he worked hard on his farm; never talked about his problems and hardly consumed alcohol.
Kumeshwar had told this newspaper that his parents had started quarrelling shortly after his mother returned home from New Amsterdam that afternoon and said she had to leave again the next morning.
He and his siblings went to bed and left them quarrelling. They were asleep when their father woke them up and ordered them to drink the Ovaltine but they did not know that he had mixed it with poison.
He had said too that his father also told him that he had killed their mother and would hang himself and gave the boy a ring to give it to his (Khemraj’s) sister. He then told them to go back to sleep.
The next morning the children woke up with their stomachs burning and started to vomit.
Kumeshwar first discovered the lifeless bodies of his parents under the house.
His father, dressed only in his underwear, was hanging from a rope while the remains of his mother bore what appeared to be stab wounds.
He immediately ran over to his aunt’s house to give her the ring and the news that his parents were dead.
When this newspaper met the children about one year after the incident they appeared to be still hunted by the ordeal.
At that time Kumeshwar provided information about what happened but this time he said, “me don’t worry about that anymore; me done forget about that.”
Friday, September 25, 2009
Burned 11-year-old girl blames dad for fire injuring her and 6-year-old sister (New Amsterdam, Guyana)
Note that the police took both parents into custody though the 11-year-old daughter makes it very clear that 1) the father PAUL EDGHILO started the fire, 2) the mother grabbed the children and tried to throw water on the blaze, and 3) the father tried to block the doorway to keep the mother and two of the children from getting out. Too many victims of domestic violence--whether in Guyana or elsewhere--are getting arrested though they didn't do anything to warrant an arrest.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/stories/09/25/burnt-girl-blames-father-for-fire/
Burnt girl blames father for fire
By Stabroek staff September 25, 2009
One of the two children badly burnt during a row between their parents at Angoy’s Avenue has accused her father of starting the fire that has disfigured her and a younger sister.
Nathasia, 11, and Kimberly, 6, were still nursing injuries at the New Amsterdam Hospital yesterday, while their parents remained in police custody. The girls have sustained severe burns on about 80% of their bodies, including their backs, tummies, hands and feet.
Kimberly’s face was also burnt and she is unable to talk. The children, especially Kimberly, were crying out in pain yesterday.
Their parents, Marlyn Lindie, 42, and Paul Edghilo, 29, were engaged in a bitter row when the stove was hurled towards the bed. They continue to blame each other for the disaster.
They were taken into police custody shortly after the incident.
A relative told this newspaper yesterday that Nathasia has related that she had awakened during the argument with her parents and saw when her father picked up the stove and hurled it in the direction of the bed. The child said too that after the mattress caught fire her mother grabbed them to safety and threw water on her to put out the blaze.
Her father, meanwhile, removed the mattress from the bed and used it to block the doorway, preventing her, Kimberly and their mother from passing. Before that, the girl related, he let her two smaller siblings; Sabrina, 5 and Isaiah, 3, out of the house. Left with no other choice, Nathasia courageously threw her sister out of the window and jumped after her.
Reports are that Edghilo and Lindie had an argument on Tuesday night and he walked out of the house. This newspaper learnt that the man returned home around 4am as the woman was preparing breakfast and the argument continued.
According to reports, in a fit of anger the man reportedly pitched the pot off the one-burner kerosene stove before hurling the stove at the woman.
The stove missed her and fell on the bed where the children were sleeping in the small shack which is just a few feet off the ground.
The bed immediately became engulfed in flames.
Meanwhile, Lindie’s mother, Zelda, said that the couple had been living together for almost 12 years. The woman said that the two were always involved in fights and she had told them to go their separate ways. The woman who said her daughter has three other older children from a separate union has never visited her at her Angoy’s Avenue home.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/stories/09/25/burnt-girl-blames-father-for-fire/
Burnt girl blames father for fire
By Stabroek staff September 25, 2009
One of the two children badly burnt during a row between their parents at Angoy’s Avenue has accused her father of starting the fire that has disfigured her and a younger sister.
Nathasia, 11, and Kimberly, 6, were still nursing injuries at the New Amsterdam Hospital yesterday, while their parents remained in police custody. The girls have sustained severe burns on about 80% of their bodies, including their backs, tummies, hands and feet.
Kimberly’s face was also burnt and she is unable to talk. The children, especially Kimberly, were crying out in pain yesterday.
Their parents, Marlyn Lindie, 42, and Paul Edghilo, 29, were engaged in a bitter row when the stove was hurled towards the bed. They continue to blame each other for the disaster.
They were taken into police custody shortly after the incident.
A relative told this newspaper yesterday that Nathasia has related that she had awakened during the argument with her parents and saw when her father picked up the stove and hurled it in the direction of the bed. The child said too that after the mattress caught fire her mother grabbed them to safety and threw water on her to put out the blaze.
Her father, meanwhile, removed the mattress from the bed and used it to block the doorway, preventing her, Kimberly and their mother from passing. Before that, the girl related, he let her two smaller siblings; Sabrina, 5 and Isaiah, 3, out of the house. Left with no other choice, Nathasia courageously threw her sister out of the window and jumped after her.
Reports are that Edghilo and Lindie had an argument on Tuesday night and he walked out of the house. This newspaper learnt that the man returned home around 4am as the woman was preparing breakfast and the argument continued.
According to reports, in a fit of anger the man reportedly pitched the pot off the one-burner kerosene stove before hurling the stove at the woman.
The stove missed her and fell on the bed where the children were sleeping in the small shack which is just a few feet off the ground.
The bed immediately became engulfed in flames.
Meanwhile, Lindie’s mother, Zelda, said that the couple had been living together for almost 12 years. The woman said that the two were always involved in fights and she had told them to go their separate ways. The woman who said her daughter has three other older children from a separate union has never visited her at her Angoy’s Avenue home.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Stay-at-home dad kills 2 children, hangs self (Stabroek, Guyana)
Unemployed, stay-at-home Dad SIMON BOODHOO killed his two children and himself. The mom says he was an abusive man who would regularly threaten to kill her and the kids. He killed the children while the mom was at work.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/news/local/07/19/father-kills-two-children-hangs-self/print/
Father kills two children, hangs self
Posted By Mark McGowan On July 19, 2009 @ 5:11 am In Local News
A mother’s worst nightmare became a reality yesterday afternoon, after her reputed husband acted on a repeated threat to take the lives of his two younger children and then commit suicide.
Loren Banarsee called Donna received the shock of her life, when she returned to her Lot 18 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara home around 4.15 pm to discover her reputed husband hanging from the roof of the bedroom, while her two youngest children were lying dead on a bed beneath his hanging body.
Dead are 61-year-old Simon Boodhoo, his son Samuel Boodhoo, 12, and his six-year-old daughter Krystal.
Banarsee said when she returned to her home yesterday afternoon, she was greeted by an unusual silence. She said that she made the gruesome discovery when she entered one of the bedrooms in the home.
According to her when she entered the bedroom, “I see de father hang heself deh and den de two children lying down frothing”. She also observed a whitish substance coming from her daughter’s eyes. She also said that there was vomit on the bed.
The mother said after making the discovery she rushed to the phone to make a call but was unable to make the call because her hands kept trembling. She ran over to her neighbours, who she said rushed over and who proceeded to contact the police at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station. The police came and they supervised the removal of the bodies she said.
The grieving mother said that when she had left for work at 7 o’clock only her daughter was awake. She said that just before she left the house she was teaching her daughter to write. Her last memory of her daughter was her repeatedly saying, “Bye bye, mummy, bye bye”. She said her son and her reputed husband were asleep. The two usually slept together while she and Krystal slept together, she said.
According to Banarsee, her reputed husband was an abusive man “who would threaten to kill me and meh children” but she didn’t expect him to do what he did. They would get into regular arguments, some of which resulted in her having items thrown at her or being beaten by him.
The most recent argument occurred on Friday evening, when she said he told the children that they were the cause of the disagreements. The distressed woman said, “he gat to be totally ignorant and mad to kill his children. If he deh do it to heself is okay, but not taking dem two children. Dey ain even know nuthin about life.”
Banarsee said her husband was a pensioner who stayed at home. He was most recently employed at a resort where he worked for two months as a barman, but subsequently left the job. According to her, he had lived in the USA for some time and they had a long-distance relationship. When he returned to Guyana to live in 1996, they continued the relationship and the next year she gave birth to Samuel, she said. They previously had two older sons together, aged 25 and 23, who both live in the family home and who are both employed.
According to her, her two young children were close to their father, as he would care for them while she was at work. She explained that whenever he had to care for the children, he would make porridge for them, and it is her suspicion that he put something in the porridge.
Banarsee said Samuel had just written the National Grade Six Assessment exam and would have started attending the Vreed-en-Hoop Community High School in September.
She recalled that on Wednesday her sister had asked her why she did not make a report to the police concerning her reputed husband’s behaviour; something she now regrets not doing.
According to her, maybe if she had listened to her sister, her children would still be alive today.
And in spite of her agony, Banarsee said she was grateful that her two older sons were not at home, as she was convinced that they might have all been dead.
Meanwhile, her 23-year-old son Richard Boodhoo briefly recounted to Stabroek News how his father would abuse his mother and even him when he was a child. He recalled once when he was younger, his father hit two of his teeth out of his mouth.
Richard said that in recent times, whenever his father attempted to hit his mother he would intervene. He, too, was distraught at the deaths of his younger siblings, who, he said, did not deserve to die the way they did.
Police are investigating the matter.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/news/local/07/19/father-kills-two-children-hangs-self/print/
Father kills two children, hangs self
Posted By Mark McGowan On July 19, 2009 @ 5:11 am In Local News
A mother’s worst nightmare became a reality yesterday afternoon, after her reputed husband acted on a repeated threat to take the lives of his two younger children and then commit suicide.
Loren Banarsee called Donna received the shock of her life, when she returned to her Lot 18 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara home around 4.15 pm to discover her reputed husband hanging from the roof of the bedroom, while her two youngest children were lying dead on a bed beneath his hanging body.
Dead are 61-year-old Simon Boodhoo, his son Samuel Boodhoo, 12, and his six-year-old daughter Krystal.
Banarsee said when she returned to her home yesterday afternoon, she was greeted by an unusual silence. She said that she made the gruesome discovery when she entered one of the bedrooms in the home.
According to her when she entered the bedroom, “I see de father hang heself deh and den de two children lying down frothing”. She also observed a whitish substance coming from her daughter’s eyes. She also said that there was vomit on the bed.
The mother said after making the discovery she rushed to the phone to make a call but was unable to make the call because her hands kept trembling. She ran over to her neighbours, who she said rushed over and who proceeded to contact the police at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station. The police came and they supervised the removal of the bodies she said.
The grieving mother said that when she had left for work at 7 o’clock only her daughter was awake. She said that just before she left the house she was teaching her daughter to write. Her last memory of her daughter was her repeatedly saying, “Bye bye, mummy, bye bye”. She said her son and her reputed husband were asleep. The two usually slept together while she and Krystal slept together, she said.
According to Banarsee, her reputed husband was an abusive man “who would threaten to kill me and meh children” but she didn’t expect him to do what he did. They would get into regular arguments, some of which resulted in her having items thrown at her or being beaten by him.
The most recent argument occurred on Friday evening, when she said he told the children that they were the cause of the disagreements. The distressed woman said, “he gat to be totally ignorant and mad to kill his children. If he deh do it to heself is okay, but not taking dem two children. Dey ain even know nuthin about life.”
Banarsee said her husband was a pensioner who stayed at home. He was most recently employed at a resort where he worked for two months as a barman, but subsequently left the job. According to her, he had lived in the USA for some time and they had a long-distance relationship. When he returned to Guyana to live in 1996, they continued the relationship and the next year she gave birth to Samuel, she said. They previously had two older sons together, aged 25 and 23, who both live in the family home and who are both employed.
According to her, her two young children were close to their father, as he would care for them while she was at work. She explained that whenever he had to care for the children, he would make porridge for them, and it is her suspicion that he put something in the porridge.
Banarsee said Samuel had just written the National Grade Six Assessment exam and would have started attending the Vreed-en-Hoop Community High School in September.
She recalled that on Wednesday her sister had asked her why she did not make a report to the police concerning her reputed husband’s behaviour; something she now regrets not doing.
According to her, maybe if she had listened to her sister, her children would still be alive today.
And in spite of her agony, Banarsee said she was grateful that her two older sons were not at home, as she was convinced that they might have all been dead.
Meanwhile, her 23-year-old son Richard Boodhoo briefly recounted to Stabroek News how his father would abuse his mother and even him when he was a child. He recalled once when he was younger, his father hit two of his teeth out of his mouth.
Richard said that in recent times, whenever his father attempted to hit his mother he would intervene. He, too, was distraught at the deaths of his younger siblings, who, he said, did not deserve to die the way they did.
Police are investigating the matter.
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