Domestic row ends in hanging death

A post mortem on Diego Martin construction worker Cyril Martin, who set his house afire and then committed suicide by hanging himself, will be performed today.  Martin, who became angry when his estranged common-law wife walked out on him Tuesday night and returned to continue their argument the next day, was found hanging Wednesday in the smouldering ruins of his home. According to reports, around 11 pm Tuesday, following an argument at their Greene Drive, Diego Martin home, wife Jennifer Dubois went to the home of a nearby neighbour to spend the rest of the night while Martin, 45, remained in the house.

Sometime next morning, Dubois returned home and the argument restarted. At around 9.30 am Wednesday, a neighbour observed smoke coming from the house and broke down two doors, rescuing Dubois, who was lying unconscious on the ground. Martin’s body was swinging by his neck from a bed sheet attached to a rafter in the kitchen. A short stool was found under Martin. Both were rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where Martin was pronounced dead on arrival, while Dubois was treated for smoke inhalation and warded for observation.

Officers of the Port-of-Spain Fire Services rushed to the scene and managed to put out the fire which had gutted approximately 75 percent of the house. Residents were able to salvage some items. Police believe that a depressed Martin killed himself. But they could shed no light on what had happened to Dubois or why she was still in the house when the fire started or how it started. Dubois was released from hospital yesterday and is expected to be interviewed today. Cpl Clifford Caesar of the West End Police Station is investigating.