AGONY

Saleesha, the apple of her parents’ eyes and well-loved by all who knew her in the quiet village, was dressed all in white with a tiara, studded with glittering gemstones, adorning her little head. Both daughter and father appeared to be sleeping, with a peaceful look on their faces, little solace to those attending the funeral who knew of how they met their end.

Sometime between last week Thursday and Friday, little Saleesha, a first-year student of the Caparo Roman Catholic Primary School and Joseph were shot and killed at her mother’s home at Leekham Road in Mamoral. To date, their killer/s remain at large although a woman and five men were questioned by police before being released.

At the time of the murders, Bissoon was at work in a casino in Chaguanas.

Hundreds of villagers attended the service for Solomon and his daughter who was fondly called “mama” and who would have celebrated her sixth birthday on July 20. Police believe gunmen made Joseph, a labourer with the Forestry Division, kneel and watch as they shot Saleesha through her neck. He was then shot twice in the abdomen. Shortly after the service began and having viewed the bodies, Bissoon collapsed sobbing.

Relatives had to escort her from the service which was officiated by Pastor Wayne Thomas. The 22-yearold woman returned a short while later only to leave once again. Bissoon was found later, alone in the Mamoral public cemetery clutching her daughter’s peppa pig toy while sitting on mounds of dirt, beside a grave that was freshly dug for Saleesha. Peppa pig is the main character from a highly popular children’s cartoon series of the same name. It was Saleesha’s favourite television show. The Peppa pig doll was also her favourite toy. Weeping and rocking back and forth while clutching the doll, Bissoon fainted atop the mound of dirt.

A street procession followed the service during which villagers wore t-shirts bearing images of the murdered father and daughter.

Jamaican artiste Popcaan’s song Only Jah Know, blasted from music speakers. When the bodies arrived at the cemetery, mourners flocked to the coffins to get a final glimpse of “mama” and “poodle”. With the assistance of relatives, Bissoon went to view the body of her daughter.

“Mama! Mama! Allyuh look Mama,” she cried.

Next to the peppa pig doll placed inside the coffin, Bissoon also placed stuffed toys, flowers and Saleesha’s Nike Jordan sneakers.

Bissoon murmured words of endearment to Saleesha as the pastor performed the last rites. Both father and daughter were buried side by side.

Earlier during the service, Pastor Thomas offered prayers for the students and staff of Saleesha’s primary school saying no doubt they would have been left traumatised over the double murder. “Comfort their hearts. We pray for understanding and peace. We pray for an understanding heart that through this experience, the peace of God will guard their hearts,” Thomas prayed.

The pastor also prayed for all affected by the double murder and called on relatives to trust in God and live a life pleasing to Him. “We pray for their peace. We declare that fear may not be able to torment the family. We turn our eyes upon you, the great God and we ask for you to comfort us and allow your peace to continue to guard our hearts.” Police are yet to make an arrest and Homicide Bureau Region III detectives are continuing investigations.