(Trinidad Guardian) A soured love affair is believed to have led to the murder of a mother of one and her new boyfriend at the woman’s Paramond Street, Toco Main Road, Vega De Oropouche home early yesterday.
The bodies of Nathania Cadogan, 33, and a man known only as Ray were discovered by a close friend when she went to carry breakfast for Cadogan.
Police reported that around 7.45 am, PCs Jaggessar and Norville, who are attached to Eastern Rapid Response Unit, were returning from a coastal patrol along the North East Coast when they were flagged down by residents who live at Vega de Oropouche. When the officers stopped they were told of the gruesome double murder in the quiet squatting community.
When the officers went inside the house they found Cadogan in a pool of blood with several bullet wounds about the body and the man on the bed covered in a blood-stained blanket, also with several bullet wounds about the body.
Police officers led by Snr Supt Belfon, ASPs Dave Revanales-Etienne, Robain, Insp Lutchman, Sgt Edwards, Cpl Osouna and Homicide officers led by Insp Parks and Cpl Mohammed responded.
Cadogan was an affidavit clerk who formerly lived in Laventille before moving to the community, while the man was said to have employed with Carib Brewery.
Police said they received information that Cadogan was granted a restraining order against a former lover just last Thursday. The said the man had been jealous after she moved on with her life and had been threatening her regularly. Things became worse when her new boyfriend started visiting her and the man reportedly threatened to kill them both.
A close friend of Cadogan, who gave her name only as Asha, told the T&T Guardian they were liming up to Sunday night three houses away. She said she realised something was wrong when she was going to Cadogan’s home yesterday morning and saw the trunk of her car open. She said she went to Cadogan’s front door and called out to her, got no response, then opened the door went inside, only to be greeted by the horrible sight of the two bodies. She said she ran out the house screaming and residents stopped a police vehicle.
She said Cadogan was doing some construction work on her new home and was “a loving, willing and generous child.” She said Cadogan, who had been living in the community for about five years, was planning to open a small food outlet at the front of her home.
“I will miss Natie,” she said as she broke down in tears.
Police said they were told the relationship between Cadogan and her former relative turned sour when she realised the man had been using her vehicle to transport drugs. She eventually broke off their relationship. Cadogan’s new boyfriend visited her on Saturday night and stayed the rest of the weekend.
Neighbours said they heard the shooting around 12 am but they did not call the police or go to investigate because they feared for their lives.
Councillor for the area Anil Juteram sent his condolences to the family of the victims and called for police patrols in the new squatter area.
District Medical Officer Dr Kendell Ramoo viewed the bodies and ordered their removal to the Sangre Grande mortuary before they were taken to the Forensic Sciences Centre in St James for post-mortem.
Cpl Mohammed of Arouca Homicide Bureau Region II is continuing investigations but police said an arrest was imminent as the suspect was well known to them.