Car fire victim laid to rest

The St Theresa’s RC Church in Malick was packed to capacity yesterday as students of St Joseph’s Convent, family and friends of student Lisette King attended  her funeral service to pay their last respects. King, 16, was burnt to death while trapped in the back seat of her father’s car at Trincity on Sunday night. Another student, Raeann Diaz, 16, a Form Five student of Caribbean Union College who was pulled from the burning car, died on Wednesday at the Intensive Care Unit of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

Up until yesterday, Lisette’s father Everald King was warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in serious but stable condition. At the service yesterday, students of St Joseph’s Convent were seen openly crying as the entrance hymn was sung. Those who could not control their tears hustled out of the church and continued crying. Some students hugged the sealed casket bearing the remains of Lisette while others hugged her photograph on the casket. Lisette was described in one of the three eulogies as a good listener and a person who was very dedicated to the church. Her goal was to become a doctor so that she could help others. The officiating priest at the service said that although it is a sad time for the King family, they should celebrate Lisette’s life and her contribution to society.

“Today we have a scenario where a mother is here to bury her child, and it seems that life is filled with so much uncertainty. He said that everyone should cherish their lives. At the end of the service,  Lisette’s mother Marilyn King was hugged by students of St Joseph’s Convent. Some students then proceeded to the front of the casket where they bade farewell to Lisette in their own special way. The St Joseph’s Convent choir sang several hymns which added to the solemn atmosphere. Principal of the school Elizabeth Crouch read a passage from the Bible. Former Police Commissioner Hilton Guy and ACPs Oswyn Allard, Deochand Gosine and Celestine Richards as well as other police officers also attended the service. King was the niece of public relations officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Annmarie Grant.