It has been just over two months since Samantha Ashby was found raped and murdered at Matthews Ridge and her sister says that she is frustrated at the sloth of the investigation and the police’s lack of interest in finding those responsible.
An upset Madonna told Stabroek News recently that if more groundwork was done by the investigators, charges would have been laid already. She said that the DNA testing of samples is among a list of things that has seemingly stalled the investigation.
On September 16, Ashby, a 32-year-old resident of Pakera and mother of one, was found naked and battered behind a community centre. Her body was bruised and her face swollen. Two condoms were found near the body.
It is suspected that Ashby was most likely killed between 2 am and 3 am while on her way home from socialising with friends. The discovery of her body was made around 11 am by children who went to the area to do some exercises.
Contacted at her home in the North West District (NWD), Madonna said that the last word that she got from investigators was that they were looking for one person, who has been described as the main suspect. She said that the man being sought is a resident who vanished after her sister’s body was found. She said that the man lived with a cousin, who has also abandoned the residence.
The woman said that the suspect’s cousin was hauled in for questioning but was released shortly after. The ranks, she said, were never able to apprehend the main suspect as they were new to the area and did not know who they were looking for. This apparently gave the man enough time to flee.
Police had initially arrested three men, including one who resembled the main suspect.
The suspects were all brought to Georgetown for additional questioning but were later released.
Madonna said she was not surprised that the police released the trio because from the beginning the ranks had told her that there was no solid evidence. She said that ranks told her that samples were taken from the suspects for DNA testing and that these will have to be sent abroad. She said that while they did not tell her when the samples would be sent, she is certain that they have not left these shores.
The woman is adamant that persons in the area have information but are afraid to come forward. “The area is not a big place. Is a small community and nothing like this don’t happen,” she said while pleading with persons who have information that could lead to a breakthrough to come forward.
Madonna said that she lacks the confidence in the police’s ability to get to the bottom of the matter. “This is police story. It done but I hope and pray for the best,” she said, before lamenting that she is seeing no evidence the police are making an effort to solve the case. She said that she is so frustrated that she does not plan to check with the police again.
