(Trinidad Guardian) A Venezuelan man is currently assisting police in their investigations surrounding the death of his 55-year-old common-law wife.
Businesswoman Pauline Rosales, also known as Gretta, was allegedly beaten to death on Tuesday.
Police said Rosales lived with the suspect at her business place, Atlas Bar, located on Todd’s Road, Chaguanas, opposite the recreation ground.
Police said Rosales and her common-law husband had an argument which escalated into an alleged fight, where Rosales was badly beaten.
The two were eventually taken to the Chaguanas District Health Facility’s Accident and Emergency Department at Ramsaran Street, where Rosales was treated and transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, for additional emergency treatment. She, however, succumbed to her injuries about 10 am on Wednesday.
Police said the suspect, who also sustained injuries, was treated at the Chaguanas Health Facility. Upon being discharged, he was taken into police custody.
An autopsy has been ordered at the Forensic Science Centre in St James to determine the actual cause of death.
Guardian Media visited Rosales’ mother, Catherine, at her Todd’s Station Road home yesterday, where family members were preparing for the wake.
Catherine said her daughter was well known in the area and will be remembered her for her cooking and love for family.
“She had one daughter and five grandchildren. She loved to cook and Christmas was all about the cooking and family,” Catherine said.
“She was very kind and loving and I never heard anything about she being abused before. First time. I knew the husband, too, and I know him to bar-b-que for her. I don’t know him to be a criminal but I just want justice,” she added.
Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation chairman Ryan Rampersad also mourned the death of Rosales. “The tragic passing of Gretta has thrown the entire community into a deep sense of grief and sadness. She was a household name in our community. Gretta was a very hard-working woman. She always wore a beautiful smile on her face.
“Gretta came from a well-known family who would host that Easter sporting activities and countryside type of bazaar setting. Everyone grew to love this family. I extend my condolences to the family. We will miss Gretta,” Rampersad said.
