A Vryheid’s Lust mother of three was stabbed to death by her son-in-law yesterday afternoon and he is currently in police custody after he was apprehend by public-spirited citizens.
The dead woman has been identified as Velma Pickering, 56, of 257 Section ‘B’ South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Police said Pickering was reportedly attacked and stabbed multiple times about her body with an ice pick by the suspect. She however managed to flee the house and ventured into her neighbour’s yard where she collapsed.
The fatal stabbing occurred between 2:00- 2:45 PM at Pickering’s residence.
A neighbour Cheryl (only name given), told this newspaper that she became aware of Pickering’s plight after the woman called out to her for help.
“I was inside of my house and I heard she calling Cheryl! Cheryl! Help is murder! Murder! When I rush outside I saw her whole body drenched in blood and she managed to come by my bridge and I rush to help her,” the woman said.
She noted that when the woman came out of her home, the suspect walked behind her. “My son was rushing to go over but I held him back and the suspect run up the road. But they later catch him,” the neighbour recalled.
According to the neighbour she called on other neighbours to help but they were unable to do anything since the woman lay lifeless on her bridge.
She explained that they had to summon the police to the scene and they took the woman to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The motive for the stabbing remains unclear. However, this newspaper learnt that the mother would always protect her daughter who was constantly abused by the suspect.
The daughter would seek refuge at the home of her mother whenever she was abused by her husband. The last time she stayed with her mother was in February when she was beaten with a hammer in her head.
At the time of the fatal attack yesterday, only Pickering and her grandson, a toddler were at home.
Police yesterday said the 28-year-old suspect who is a security guard and resides at Sideline Dam, Buxton, ECD is currently assisting with investigations. The suspect was also wanted for an unlawful wounding which was committed on Shamar Robert on Saturday last. ice investigations are continuing.
