Children of murdered US citizen arrive in country

The woman, who is employed by the US Department of Defense, along with her sister and two brothers, arrived in the country on Monday evening and went to a funeral home yesterday to view their mother’s body and to make funeral arrangements.

The four broke down and sobbed uncontrollably during the viewing.

Contacted yesterday, former director of the National Operations Centre (NOC) Garvin Heerah, a close relative of Matthews, confirmed that his aunt’s children were contacted by officials of the Embassy but he said he did not wish to disclose what was discussed. The funeral is expected to take place at 3 pm on Friday at the Faith Assembly in Arouca.

The Arima house where Matthews was found dead on Saturday afternoon still remains a crime scene and the house is yet to be handed over to relatives.

Newsday understands that Matthews, a former factory worker, used her savings to build the house, had told her children that she never wanted the house sold and asked that on her death that the house remain with the family. An autopsy at the Forensic Science Center on Monday revealed that Matthews was stabbed eight times in the chest and neck.