Law enforcement officers have launched investigations into the discovery of the partially decomposed bodies of a mother and her 13-year-old daughter.
The deceased who have been identified as Petrous Ross-Latchman, 38, and Gabrielle Ross, both of New Providence, East Bank Demerara, were discovered yesterday afternoon.
In a statement yesterday, police said three plastic bottles, one glass bottle containing a liquid substance and two cups were found next to the bodies. Two small glass containers containing a whitish substance were recovered from the refrigerator along with a note in the living room.
Blood samples, the police added, were taken from the bodies for testing. The bodies were then removed by undertakers and taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await post-mortem examinations.
The bodies were first discovered by Petrous’ estranged husband, Hemanchal Latchman after he visited the home at the request of the property owner.
At the scene yesterday, Latchman a mechanic Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara told reporters that when he went to the house initially, his calls went unanswered. He noted that he visited the police station and explained the situation but he was informed that they could not intervene. Latchman related that the landlord was in the country and requested to visit the property.
“I rented the house in my name, so the landlord reached out and after I couldn’t get on to them I went to the police… after that the landlord said break the door, and when we (a neighbour) pry the door we get a foul scent and we immediately go and call the police,” he explained.
Latchman added that it was when the police arrived and ventured into the house, beyond the grill doors they discovered the bodies.
He told reporters that it is unclear to him what occurred as he last saw his wife in January. Their five years of marriage ended last September when Petrous requested a divorce.
“We didn’t had no fight or anything but I came home a night and she was crying in the chair and she asked for a divorce. I say ok and I own a house in West Demerara and I move over there,” he related.
He went on to state that in January when he visited; he also had to summon the police to check on them. He stated that at that point, she indicated to the police that she did not want anything to do with anyone and she even refused the financial support he was leaving with her.
“She was a very private woman… I cannot even find her sister right now to relate what happened… the neighbours never really saw her. Since we separate I used to talk to Gabrielle most times and give her whatever I have for them but that was it,” he said.
