Murdered teen’s sister goes missing

TWO WEEKS after Couva teenager Shivanand Sookdeo took a fatal stab defending his younger sister Seema during an alleged attack by Seema’s 14-year-old boyfriend, the young girl has gone missing. Seema, 14, was last seen on Friday night walking away from her grandparents’ home at Seventh Street, Dow Village, California, after the family held a Hindu prayer service commemorating 13 days of Shivanand’s death. Seema reportedly left around 7.30 pm with a male teenager who lives a few blocks away from her home. On learning that Seema had left the house, relatives went in search of her, but were unable to find her up to yesterday. She was last seen wearing a white blouse, a long brown skirt and slippers. Seema’s grandmother, Bissoondaye Dhanessar, yesterday made a tearful appeal for Seema’s return.

“I missing she real bad and I missing Shivanand. I mind them from small. I don’t know why people are getting involved with my grandchildren. My grandson get stab and now my grand-daughter gone. What is the reason for all of this?” the elderly woman cried. Shivanand, 18, was fatally stabbed on August 15 on the road outside their home as he intervened in a violent argument between his sister and his alleged killer. Seema was being kicked and beaten by the 14-year-old accused, when Shivanand intervened to protect her. The accused teenager allegedly plunged a knife into Shivanand’s chest as he lunged at Seema. Shivanand died while receiving treatment at Couva District Hospital. Last Friday, Shivanand’s accused killer, who also lives at Dow Village, made his second appearance in the Couva Magistrates’ Court. The matter was postponed to September 6. The elderly woman is fearful that her grand daughter’s life is now in jeopardy. 

Dhanessar told Newsday the family had been living in fear since Shivanand’s death, especially Seema. She said the teen was scared to return to school at Couva Junior Secondary on Monday, where she was due to enter Form Three. “Since Shivanand get killed, Seema frightened. She used to be frightened to go out the road. I don’t know if she was forced to walk out from home,” an emotional Dhanessar said. Police were told that after Seema left around 7.30 pm, she and the boy were seen entering a van parked a few streets away from Dhanessar’s home. Police have also been told the two were seen at a KFC fast-food branch in Marabella. “Shivanand was my right hand. Then Seema used to help me, but now she gone. I suffering with my heart, sugar and high blood pressure. I cannot function right now the way things are with my family,” Dhanessar sobbed. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Seema Sookdeo is asked to contact Couva police at 636-2333 or 636-7957.