Family members of Rajwantie Baldeo, the US-based Guyanese woman who was hacked to death in Queens, New York more than one week ago yesterday paid their last respects to her during a funeral service held at her Enmore, East Coast Demerara home.
Baldeo’s remains were flown to Guyana and she was cremated at the Good Hope crematorium yesterday afternoon.
The woman who hailed from Sixth Street, Foulis, Enmore, ECD was stabbed several times in the chest, shoulder and both hands just after midnight on December 4 by Prem Rampersaud, a man with whom she shared an abusive relationship.
The incident occurred at the corner of 124th Street and 103rd Avenue during which an argument ensued and Rampersaud allegedly whipped out a large kitchen knife and stabbed Baldeo. He was apprehended by the police a few blocks away and has since been charged with murder and possession of a weapon
Baldeo was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital and a knife believed to be the murder weapon was recovered at the scene.
Baldeo’s daughter had related to Stabroek New recently that her mother was married to Rampersaud for 30 years. She said at the time of the incident her mother was on vacation in New York. Their relationship, she said, was characterised by violence and her mother was subject to severe abuse at the hands of the man. “Couple month before mommy (Baldeo) went to New York, they did separate and he did pull a knife on her and tell she he will kill she before,” the daughter said.