Investigations are being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anita Baichan, 49 years, of Hope, WCB, who perished in a fire at her home about 0230h. today, the police say.
Initial investigations indicate that two men armed with cutlasses entered the home and held up Anita Baichan and her son Moshim Khan, 28 years, and demanded cash and jewellery.
The perpetrators were given $30,000 but kept demanding more valuables. Having not gotten anything further from the victims the men used duct tape to tie the hands, feet and mouth of the victims and set the house on fire before escaping.
Khan managed to roll out of the building but subsequent efforts, with assistance from neighbouring residents, failed to save Baichan.
Khan, who was struck about his body with a cutlass during the incident, has been hospitalised.