Grief, shock, devastationPM: One of the saddest days of my life
Gail Alexander
Senior Political Reporter
A pall of sadness spread over T&T and within the People’s National Movement (PNM) yesterday with the tragic death of the party’s D’Abadie/O’Meara MP Lisa Morris-Julian and two of her children in an early morning fire at her Arima home.
Morris-Julian, 48, is being hailed in some quarters as a hero for reportedly re-entering the burning house to save one of her children. Her six-year-old son Jesiah and daughter Xianne, 25, also perished in the blaze.
The fire occurred at Morris-Julian’s home at 8 Farfan Street, Arima, at 5.30 am.
Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher said the bodies were found in separate bedrooms after the fire was extinguished.
Morris-Julian’s husband, Daniel, was initially taken to the Arima Hospital and subsequently taken to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, for treatment for first- and second-degree burns.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and other Cabinet members who rushed to the scene, were visibly shaken, some openly shedding tears.
PNM vice chairman Camille Robinson-Regis put her head back and bawled in gut-wrenching grief and shock, “Oh God …!”
Collapsing, Robinson-Regis had to be held up by those around her.
Robinson-Regis had worked closely with Morris-Julian, who was vice chairman of the PNM Women’s League.
Also in tears were Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, who served with Morris-Julian in Education, Pennelope Beckles and Donna Cox. Other ministers present—Stuart Young, Symon de Nobriga, Marvin Gonzales, Fitzgerald Hinds, Kazim Hosein, and MP Esmond Forde—were also in deep sorrow.
In a subsequent statement on Facebook, Rowley said, “My family and I are devastated at the awful tragedy that took the lives of Lisa and her children. We extend our deepest condolences to the entire Morris-Julian clan as we join Arima and the national community in coming to grips with this shocking reality that we have lost more than we think we can bear.
“Lisa was family to all of us, humble and caring. Only just over 24 hours ago she and her husband shared the Christmas spirit with a wide cross-section of the national community who attended our annual Christmas celebration.
“To have her and her children snatched away under such horrible circumstances makes today one of the saddest days of my life. The PNM has lost one of our finest representatives. On behalf of our members and supporters, I extend condolences from an organisation in shock and tears.
“We will support each other and be there to provide the family with what it takes to help them make it through the difficult days ahead.”
Education Minister Gadsby-Dolly, with whom Morris-Julian worked, using a broken-hearted emoji, told Guardian Media, “I loved Lisa like a sister. She was a passionate person who served her people with all that she had. We are simply gutted by the enormity of the loss. Words cannot express how we feel and how deep our sympathy for her family runs.”
At 9.27 am yesterday, a statement from the Communication Ministry announced Morris-Julian’s passing.
Government extended deepest condolences to her family, loved ones and constituents “and will keep them in our collective thoughts and prayers.”
On whether plans are in the works for a state funeral for Morris-Julian, Communication Ministry officials said any information regarding these matters will be provided at the appropriate time.
Kamla offers prayers
The tragic deaths triggered mourning across political party lines.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, “The nation awoke to the horrific news of the tragic passing of MP Lisa Morris-Julian and her two relatives earlier this morning.
“As a colleague and as a Trinbagonian, I join with the national community in offering my prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Lisa and her relatives.
“It is my sincere wish that all those whose lives were touched by Lisa and her relatives find comfort and strength at this most difficult time.”
Hinds: She went
to rescue her child
National Security Minister Hinds said the Fire, TTPS and T&TEC authorities are probing the incident.
“The cause and circumstances are under investigation, but whatever the outcome, it will do nothing in terms of a replacement for the bright, beautiful soul that Lisa was. Our condolences go out to all. A woman in Arima told me there will be no Christmas in Arima now.”
Hinds added, “I’ve lost a friend. This was a genuine human person, no airs, no false elevations. She came from a history of service in her family and carried on influentially in that vein—helping people even in the most difficult circumstances was second nature to her.
“She was a genuinely hard-working MP, very engaged with her community, working as hard to meet her own expectations and standards she assessed were expected.
“She had a ‘special relationship’ with everyone. Our last deep conversation was when she called to wish me happy birthday recently and we spoke for 25 minutes. My condolences to all her family because if she meant so much to us, God alone know what she meant to them.
“She was one of the more compassionate caring persons I’ve had the privilege to know. She leaves a proud legacy and an example of service and caring that many will do well to emulate.
“We will miss her very much.”
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