Autopsy shows

A 30-YEAR-OLD Belmont woman died on Sunday — two weeks after being admitted to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) with head injuries — following an incident in which she was reportedly beaten.

Relatives of Rachael Joseph reported to the Belmont Police that she was the victim of domestic abuse and was beaten two weeks ago with a gunbutt. On Sunday, when she died at Ward 33 of the city hospital, doctors called in the police. Homicide Bureau detectives interviewed several persons.

However, an autopsy carried out at the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday revealed Joseph did not die from head injuries, which landed her in hospital, but her death was caused by a terminal illness.

A suspect who was detained for questioning, was subsequently released following the results of the autopsy. Relatives of the dead woman told Newsday that Joseph complained to them about physical abuse she was suffering. She also asked for help.

The dead woman was mother to a 12-year-old girl. Investigations are continuing.