Elderly mother strangled at home

HALIMA Mona Rampersad — a 62-year-old mother of two — became the country’s 36th and latest murder victim when she was found strangled at her Eighth Avenue, Barataria home yesterday morning. A family friend Tricia Lalchan discovered her body around 7.15 am lying on the floor of her bedroom located at the south-eastern side of the house. The elderly woman, police said, appeared to have been strangled or smothered. A pillow was found next to her body in the bedroom which was ransacked.

Rampersad who was fully clothed, was still wearing a gold chain and her bed appeared to have not been used the night before. Further checks revealed that a diamond ring valued at $10,000 which belonged to Lalchan, and a watch, were stolen. When a party of officers led by Snr Supt Waldron Bishop, Inspector Ancil Coa, Sgt David Abraham, Cpl Anand Ramjit and others went to the scene, they discovered no visible signs of a break-in. Relatives told police they believe the killer/s entered the house through an open door. Grieving relatives said the deceased was very active despite her age. Relatives said Rampersad still went to market every Sunday and during the week used her own car to transport her elderly neighbors who had errands to run.

Rampersad was described by her neighbors as a kind person who was always willing to help anyone in need. They expressed shock and outrage over her killing. Boysie Ali, a brother of the murder victim said yesterday that he had lost all confidence in the police and Government. He said he felt the authorities were impotent in dealing with the crime situation in the country. Ali said that he will now pursue his own investigations to find the person or persons responsible for the death of his sister. “She was a kind and loving person and did not deserve to die in such horrible circumstances,” a grieving Ali said. Rampersad’s husband, relatives said, was the first person in Trinidad to offer mechanical services for persons with BMW vehicles.

That business is now run by his son Ricky at Tenth Avenue, Barataria. At the house of mourning yesterday, relatives gathered in shock as police went about their investigations. As the body was being taken to a hearse, some relatives wept openly. Ricky Rampersad, 42, told investigators that he saw his mother on Saturday night and she appeared to be “ok.” He added that she retired to her bedroom at around 9.30 pm and that was the last time that he saw her. He was in a state of shock over the killing. Ricky added that he had a cup of tea early yesterday morning and then asked his girlfriend to check on his mother. Police believe Rampersad was killed on Saturday night. Cpl Ramjit of the Barataria Police Station is investigating.