(Trinidad Guardian) Renee T’Anna Lazarus spent her last moments with her older brother discussing how she could better her life through education. Her last minutes on earth, however, were spent struggling with her killer or killers, who tied her up, stripped her and strangled her with her own clothing. Lazarus, 17, who was nicknamed Rihanna because she was a fan of the Barbadian pop singer, was found half-naked in an abandoned lot at Cameron Hill, Petit Valley, around 7 am on Monday.
Speaking with the media outside the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Tuesday, after identifying her for authorities, relatives described her as a happy person who was very artistic. Lazarus was last seen by her brother, Nathaniel Brathwaite Jr, last Friday as they were returning to their Salandy Street, Diego Martin, home around 7 pm from shopping in Port-of-Spain. Brathwaite said the two spoke about Lazarus signing up to do evening classes to sit the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams.
They were in a silver Lancer which was working PH (private for hire). Brathwaite, however, got out at Factory Road, Diego Martin, and told his sister to go straight home.
It was the last he heard and saw her. At the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, Brathwaite was heard blaming himself for his sister’s death, while their mother, Alicia Lazarus, called for justice for her child. Brathwaite said his sister was a happy child who loved making those around her laugh.
Lazarus said her daughter wanted more than anything in the world to help others. This passion, she said, made her daughter decide she wanted either to be a doctor or a nurse. She said her daughter was a quick learner and did not deserve to die in the horrific manner she did and called for justice. In a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian on Tuesday, assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of crime, Glen Hackett, expressed condolences to the family.