Arima murder victim’s family puzzled by attack

As the investigation into the murder of retiree Leela Hyacinth Danclar continues, relatives are searching for answers about why a woman they described as quiet and God-faring was killed in such a heinous manner.

Speaking with Guardian Media shortly after her body was identified at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday, Danclar’s cousin Carol Mayers said the family was still reeling from the death of another relative­—PC Dale Mayers—in May, and was now overwhelmed by the shocking and gruesome murder of Danclar.

PC Mayers was shot by an armed man during a botched robbery on May 13 at the Unique Bar and Restaurant in Chaguanas, while liming with his wife and a friend.

Relatives revealed that Mayers and Danclar were cousins.

Carol Mayers said the family was “still in deep grief” over the loss of Dale and coupled with Danclar’s killing, the situation was “really, really hard on the entire family.”

Danclar was found by police lying on the floor of her ransacked bedroom with a pillow over her face, and blood smeared around her genitals on Monday afternoon. A sheet had been partially covering the body.

Her 90-year-old mother, who suffers from advanced dementia, was found unharmed in another bedroom.

Although it was believed Danclar’s murder may have occurred during an alleged home invasion, her cousin Carol speculated, “I think maybe is a crime of passion, as somebody may have been looking at her from outside as she doesn’t wear jewellery, so you cannot say you coming to look for that as she didn’t have any jewellery.”

However, she sought to rationalise the manner and circumstances which led to the killing, adding, “You never know who was watching her.”

Asked if Danclar had known or been involved with anyone who may have wanted to harm her, Carol said the quiet, kind, humble and devout Seventh-Day Adventist was committed to God, the church, her son, elderly mother and the family.

“She is devoted to the Lord and she don’t entertain anybody. Sometimes people would be looking at you and you just don’t know,” she insisted.

The cousin said she could not say what was taken from the house. She said they were awaiting the arrival of Danclar’s son from abroad, as he was familiar with his mother’s belongings and would be able to assist the police with the investigation.

Danclar’s 34-year-old son, who is a doctor practising in Jamaica, is due to arrive in the country by the end of the week.

Carol said the family was baffled, saddened and angry over the killing of a “woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Recalling memories of Danclar, her cousin described her as having an impeccable fashion sense.

“She was very stylish, always put together very nicely. She was a dresser. She always matching, her fascinator would always match her outfit, her shoes matching her handbag,” Carol recalled.

The relative added that Danclar kept fit by exercising with a group from church and would often go hiking.

“She also loved to travel. She would go by her son in Jamaica and did all the exciting things over there. She was a very quiet person, never had a bad word to say about anybody.”

Carol said she and Danclar were planning a trip to Dubai next year to visit a cousin who lives there.

While struggling to cope with the murders of Mayers and now Danclar, Carol was angry about the crime situation in the country.

“Our judicial system is the worst. If a judge sees somebody with three and four convictions before them, why the hell you giving that person bail?” she asked.

“Why? They come before you with a gun charge, why are you giving this person a bail? What it is going on? They are the problem … too much of soft, easy bail for these criminals. That is the problem because it is repeat offenders doing plenty of the crimes.”

Nine killed in home invasions up to June 30

January

• ↓Businessman Richard Ramkissoon died at hospital after being beaten by six men armed with guns and cutlasses around 3 am on January 20, during a break-in at his home in Crescent Drive, Mausica Road, D’Abadie.

February

• ↓Retired teacher Hyacinth Gardner, 85, of Lime Boulevard, Santa Rosa Heights, was found dead in her home on February 6. The US citizen was last seen two days before and had been carrying out repairs at her home as she visited for Carnival.

• ↓Akeem Ralph, 26, of Valley View, Pinto Road, Arima, was shot as he defended his family against armed intruders on February 24.

April

• ↓Farmer Aquie Persad, 58, was killed at his home at Welcome Road North, Cunupia, around 9.20 pm on April 7 by three armed men who demanded cash and valuables before beating and shooting him in front of his wife and children.

June

• ↓Businessman Allan Babwah, 37, of Exchange Lots, Couva, was killed around 10.30 pm on June 7 by armed men who robbed the family of cash and cellphones during a home invasion.

• ↓Marketing manager Stephen Sookhan, 59, of Oasis Gardens, Endeavour, Chaguanas, was found hacked to death around 10.50 pm at his home on June 19, after an alleged robbery.

• ↓Cousins Malcolm Richardson, 21; Andre Meloney, 20; and Sherwyn MacFallen, 17; were killed around 1.10 am on June 23, after gunmen stormed a house at Mendoza Street, Matura, where they were asleep.

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