Residents in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne were left in a state of shock and confusion yesterday after a woman and her eight-year-old son were found brutally murdered at their residence located at Mangrove Street.
Melissa Arokium, also known as Lisa, 30, who operates a shop at her residence and Anthony Arokium, 8, a student at the Port Mourant Primary School were found dead just between 1 pm – 2 pm yesterday by a relative.
Melissa reportedly sustained chop injuries, while Anthony sustained stab injuries. The mother and son who were found in pools of blood inside of the house were taken to the Port Mourant Hospital yesterday where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Commander of Region Six, Shivpersaud Bacchus yesterday told Stabroek News that police received a report of a wounding, however after ranks arrived at the scene at about 1.30 pm it was discovered to be a double murder.
“The station sergeant and a relative of the deceased would have discovered the woman lying motionless in a pool of blood”, he said.
According to Bacchus, as of yesterday afternoon four persons of interest – three relatives and one neighbour – were being questioned. He noted that no murder weapon was found at the scene and that the woman’s house was not ransacked.
As of yesterday police had cordoned off three areas of interest; the crime scene, the backdam and a bush area located in the street with the woman’s house.
According to Bacchus, what appeared to be blood trails were noticed behind the house, while a police source noted that a piece of clothing was found in the bush area, which Bacchus had identified to be a place of interest yesterday.
Stabroek News was told that Melissa resided with her son, while her brother lived in the same lot at the back. The brother said that he left home around 4 am to head to the estate to work and returned and showered and left again.
It was only after Melissa’s younger brother visited the location to use her washroom that he then made the discovery.
Melissa’s mother who sometimes resides at the location also is currently in the interior for business and is expected to return today.
The deceased’s uncle, Leon Moore yesterday said that the entire situation has left the family confused as Melissa is an extremely nice and jovial person who is never involved in any problem. “She don’t make problem with people, every morning she does carry she child to lesson and past and call on me”, he stated.
He said that he last saw the woman on Tuesday.
“She and she son live there, the mother does be there but she mother gone back to bush… She always call me uncle and every time me see she she always a laugh. Me does tell she like thing na bad with she she always a smile.”
Residents yesterday said that they did not hear any sound coming from the house for the entire day. One neighbour described Melissa to be very kind and said that Anthony would often visit her yard to play with her grandsons.
