Hannah’s parents make virtual court appearance

The parents of teenager Hannah Mathura have been remanded into custody after appearing in court charged with her murder. 

High Court Master Sarah De Silva did not consider bail for Andrew and Alana Mathura when they made their first court appearance a short while ago. 

“Bail for this offence is only granted in exceptional circumstances,” De Silva said as she advised them of their right to apply for bail before a judge. 

She also noted that if their lawyers file the application this week, it could be heard by a judge, next Friday. 

Andrew, 66, and Alana, 63, both of Butu Road, Valsayn, were accused of murdering their daughter on an unknown date between July 8, 2017, when she was last seen alive, and March 13, this year, a day after her skeletal remains were unearthed in the backyard of the family’s home. 

They were not called upon to enter a plea to the charge. 

The couple made their virtual court appearance from a holding cell at the Tunapuna Police Station. 

Sat next to each other, Alana was stoic while her husband appeared more animated as he got up to inform Master De Silva that he was not hearing her via video conferencing. He even briefly smiled while addressing the court. 

During the hearing, police prosecutor Inspector Ashely Mongroo indicated that the police were relying on the evidence of 26 witnesses as well as documentary evidence including post mortem and DNA analysis reports. 

He admitted that there was no direct evidence against them. 

“It is mostly circumstantial evidence,” Mongroo said. 

Master De Silva set dates for prosecutors and defence attorneys to file evidence and submissions in the matter. 

She is expected to preside over the duo’s sufficiency hearing on April 1, 2026. 

Andrew was represented by Tahirah Gibson-Sobers, while Steffon Boodooram represented Alana. 

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