Cuban national, Joel Rodriguez, on Monday confessed to the murders of Tara Krishnaran and her 11-year-old daughter, Larissa Singh, of Princes Street, Lodge.
Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanhum when contacted last evening by this newspaper confirmed the man’s confession.
According to Blanhum, Rodriguez told police that on Christmas Day, while he and Krishnaran were under the influence of alcohol, she was visited by a male friend at their residence which led to an argument between the two. Rodriguez added that he was further infuriated when Krishnaran said she was going to visit her brother as he did not believe her.
As a result a fight ensued and Rodriguez killed Krishnaran and subsequently Singh, as she was an eyewitness to her mother’s murder.
Blanhum stated that a report on the matter is being drawn up to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further advice before the matter is brought before the court.
Police had previously reported that when questioned, the father of Krishnaran revealed that the suspect and the woman had an argument at about 5.30 pm on December 25 and a fight ensued between the couple.
The father retired to bed, since according to him, the couple would fight routinely. At about 8 am on December 26 the father woke up and did not check on the victims, having thought that she went to work and had taken her child with her as was customary.
At about 8.30 pm yesterday, the father, after realising that he was locked inside the house, checked the room of the victim and discovered his daughter and granddaughter lying motionless on a bed and floor, respectively.
There was a wound to the back of the head, left temple and the left side of the face of Tara. On the girl, (there was) a wound about six inches in length to her neck… A blood-stained hammer and knife were also retrieved, the police said.
Following the incident, Rodriguez fled the scene but was subsequently captured by the police in Linden.
