Man confesses: I killed her with a stone

A 30-year-old man who walked into the Arima Police Station early yesterday to report the disappearance of a woman, was detained, interrogated and later confessed to the murder of the woman, Dale Matthews. Matthews’ body was found at Sorzano Street, Arima around 7 am yesterday. The unemployed man confessed to officers that he was responsible for the death of Matthews, a 40-year-old mother of two, who was beaten to death while on her way home from a Carnival fete early yesterday.

The man claimed they were walking along Sorzano Street when they had a heated argument. He said he took a stone and bashed in Matthews head. He said he hid the body behind a burger shed, then fled the scene and went to his home. Yesterday, officers led by Ag Inspector Johnny Abraham, Sgts Forde, Hamilton and others quizzed the suspect for more than two hours before he confessed. The suspect was unaware that the officers already had information that he was seen with Matthews shortly before she was killed. Officers will consult with Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson tomorrow following an autopsy on the body. Matthews, of Pinto Road, Arima, left home Friday night to attend a Carnival fete at the Arima Boys’ RC School.

Around 3 am, she told a relative she was going to the bar to get a drink and if she did not return to the fete, she would make her way home. Matthews never returned to the fete. Around 7 am yesterday, a passerby saw the body behind the burger shed and alerted the Arima police. A party of officers went to the scene along with District Medical Officer Hayden Mohammed, who ordered that the body be removed to the Forensic Science Centre. Matthews worked as a waitress at Queen’s Restaurant and Bar in Arima. She was well known in the district. At her Pinto Road, Arima home yesterday, relatives refused to be interviewed. The murder of Matthews is the 21st for the year so far.