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alexk
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A 62-year-old mother of five is believed to have been raped and strangled to death at her Thomasos Street, D’Abadie home yesterday.
Monica Ruiz, who lives alone, was found by one of her daughters around 11.45 am, police said. The daughter usually visits Ruiz daily to ensure she eats.
At the scene yesterday, the daughter, who preferred not be named, told the Sunday Guardian that when she arrived at the house she observed the front door broken in and when she entered the house was ransacked and the television and other items were missing. She said she immediately called out to her mother and got no response. She then ran into the room, where she found her mother unresponsive on her bed, with her hands tied, mouth gagged, clothes were torn apart and her face with marks of violence. The distraught daughter alerted neighbours and the police were contacted.
Neighbours described the family as peaceful and respectful people, saying they could not understand why the bandits would kill such an elderly woman in such a brutal manner.
Officers attached to Arima Police Station, led by Supt Aroon Ramkahelawan and including Sgt Haley, as well as officers from Homicide Bureau Region II, visited the scene and processed the area for evidence.
Police believed the crime was committed on Friday night when they suspect the criminals entered her house and killed her before emptying it of all appliances and valuable items. Officers are hoping neighbours who may have CCTV footage will assist them by coming forward with it.
The District Medical Officer viewed the body and ordered its removal to Arima mortuary, from where it will be taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James, for post-mortem tomorrow.
Ruiz was one of two people killed in the division.
In the other incident, La Horquetta resident Kevin “Calcutta” Scott died steps away from his Phase Seven home after gunmen ambushed him as he rocked in a hammock around 10.30 am.
Reports indicate that Scott, 30, attempted to flee after a white car pulled alongside him and the occupants opened fire. Despite being shot, he managed to run towards his house but was pursued and shot several more times by the gunmen.
He later collapsed and died along a grassy walkway while the gunmen fled in the waiting car.
Investigations are continuing into both incidents.
RALPH BANWARIE