(Jamaica Gleaner) The brutal killing of 76-year-old Kitchena Howard of Spring Bank in Portland, Thursday night, has left his 17-year-old granddaughter and residents in the area grief-stricken.
Sherika Clarke told The Gleaner that her grandfather was battling cancer, had a difficulty walking and had been ill for some time now.
She said that his quiet and friendly attitude enabled him to share an excellent relationship with other residents, who are all saddened by what they described as the senseless killing of the ailing man.
“I feel sad. I cried. He was fun, loving and caring,” said Clarke.
“He had prostate cancer and he could hardly walk. We are all saddened by this killing, and we are trying to cope as a family. I really miss him. I think he was murdered in his sleep,” she divulged.
The body of the senior citizen was found in his one-room concrete house with what appeared to be stab wounds by the police about 11 p.m. He was pronounced dead at hospital. Howard was last seen alive around 7 p.m. on Thursday by family members.
Howard, a former musician, who once played the banjo, is best remembered for performing at several hotels in Ocho Rios, St Ann, and also singing for tourists on the Rio Grande in Portland.
“We are shocked by this murder,” commented 57-year-old Helma Brown, a neighbour.
“This is a quiet community and the gentleman was well known to everyone. It’s hard to believe that someone in this space actually committed such a brutal act. He was such a cheerful and friendly individual,” she said.
“This killing has left the entire community of Spring Bank in a state of shock. He was a harmless old man, who was often seen hobbling about most days, while exchanging friendly gesture with just about everyone.”
This is the second murder that has been committed in Portland since the start of 2020.
