Granny, 60, burnt to death

A 60-year-old Diego Martin grandmother was burnt to death yesterday after the maid locked her in and set the building on fire.

Police described it as “a senseless act.” After commiting murder, the 35-year-old maid is reported to have drank a toxic substance believed to be gramoxone. Up until late last night, the maid was in a coma at hospital. According to police reports, around 4 pm, Cynthia Weilung  was locked in her home at Team Drive, Majuba Crossing, Diego Martin while watching television, and the building set ablaze.  Moments later the maid, who five months ago was taken off the street by Weilung and offered the job, drank  poison and collapsed at the front of the burning house.

Weilung’s granddaughter Tiffany, on seeing smoke billowing at the back of the house telephoned the police. West End police arrived on the scene along with fire officers who had to cut down the front iron gate to access the burning house.  Weilung’s home, which is an annexe at the back of the house was completely destroyed while the front of the house, where her only son, Peter Anthony, lives with his wife Simone and their daughter Tiffany, was untouched by the blaze.

When firemen extinguished the blaze, they came across the charred, unrecognisable and smoking remains of Mrs Weilung, among the ruins. A shaken Peter Anthony, who along with his wife are employees of Republic Bank Ltd, said he did not know why the maid whom he called “Joyce” would want to kill his mother. Anthony’s wife Simone, was too distraught to speak. Homicide Bureau officers and West End police were still at the scene late last night searching for clues. While at the scene, police officers said they heard the maid had died at hospital, but up to news time this could not be confirmed. West End police are continuing investigations.